Current Canal Modernization from an International Perspective
DEFINITION OF MODERNIZATION Irrigation project modernization is defined (FAO, 1996) as: A process of technical and managerial upgrading (as opposed to mere rehabilitation) of irrigation schemes combined with institutional reform, with the objective to improve resource utilization (labor, water, economic, environmental) and water delivery service to farmers. Modernization differs from rehabilitation, which simply returns a deteriorated project or structures to their original new state. Rehabilitation by itself typically only perpetuates the vicious cycle of rehabilitation, deterioration, rehabilitation, etc. A modern irrigation design is the result of a thought process that selects the configuration and the physical components in light of a well-defined and realistic operation plan that is based on the service concept. A modern irrigation design is not defined by specific hardware components and control logic. Advanced concepts of hydraulic engineering, irrigation engineering, agronomy, and social science should be used to arrive at the most simple and workable solution (Plusquellec et al., 1994). QUICK REVIEW OF CONDITIONS IN THE U.S.A. Prior to discussing irrigation projects in Less Developed Countries (LDCs), it can be instructive to note key factors which exist in many irrigation projects here in the U.S. First, in the intermountain states many of the irrigation districts are far from modernized. Many have large amounts of conveyance losses, poor on-farm irrigation efficiencies, and poor budgets and maintenance programs. Some operate on very rigid rotation schedules. In other areas of the western U.S. irrigation districts have very high district-level irrigation efficiencies (as high as 80%, including impacts of both delivery and on-farm), and have very flexible water delivery schedules to farmers. But the point to make is that a consultant 1 Professor and Director, Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), BioResource and Agricultural Engr. Dept., California Polytechnic State Univ. (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, CA 93407. Current Canal Modenization From An International Perspective http://www.itrc.org/papers/pdf/keynotespeech.pdf ITRC Paper 99-003 Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) www.itrc.org from the U.S., or any other country, might have a long experience with irrigation districts but that experience may have nothing to do with modernization. In the U.S. we also have a considerable amount of literature and research on sophisticated canal control algorithms. However, in the field almost all control on canals is upstream control, with a few districts having extensive computer controlled upstream control. Certainly there are numerous examples of SCADA systems and downstream control, but most of the complex control is found on a few very large canals such as the California Aqueduct or the Central Arizona Project. Such large canals are inherently simpler to manage on a minute-tominute basis than are small canals because of their excellent maintenance and communications systems and the lack of wide fluctuations in flow rate in a short time. There is a special environment in irrigation projects in the U.S. that has a bearing upon successes and failures in the U.S. Aspects of this environment include:  Most consultants in the U.S. must live with the results of their work. News travels fast. And most consultants in U.S. modernization (that is implemented) are private local consultants who are professional engineers, as opposed to researchers.  U.S. projects have very stable workforces. Many irrigation district employees spend almost their whole career in the district.  The U.S. projects benefit from water rights, and (extremely importantly) the ability to enforce water rights and rules.  U.S. projects have excellent legislation for the formation of Water User Associations (WUAs). And most WUAs are operated as not-for-profit businesses with professional management staff that are responsible to elected Boards of Directors.  Various agencies such as the US Bureau of Reclamation have provided long term financial and technical assistance to irrigation districts.  There is an excellent supply infrastructure for spare parts and new equipment.  Even in remote projects, the life of irrigation professionals is good. Schools in remote areas are sometimes better than schools in more urbanized areas. Furthermore, good housing and medical care are available, and the transportation network is excellent so that even at remote projects, one does not typically feel "isolated".  While there is often undue influence in irrigation districts by some board members or difficult individual farmers, corruption is very rare. Current Canal Modenization From An International Perspective http://www.itrc.org/papers/pdf/keynotespeech.pdf ITRC Paper 99-003 Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) www.itrc.org STATUS OF MODERNIZATION IN LDCs
Problems of Irrigation in Developing Countries
This paper describes the crucial importance of irrigated agriculture to developing countries and to the world as a whole. This is followed by a summary of key problems that restrict and diminish the benefits of irrigated agriculture. Solution of these problems will above all require a holistic approach and will require changes in the institutions involved. These institutions include those of the developing countries, of the developed countries that provide aid, and of the international financing and technical-assistance agencies. Engineers in the developed countries have had, and will continue to have, a leading role but will need some redirection. ASCE could provide valuable assistance in this redirection.
An intelligent control system for ventilators.
This study reports on a ventilator system that consists of several intelligent modules for controlling ventilator operation. These modules are software programs in two controllers. One controller is a personal computer used for diagnoses, determining settings and checking the effects of settings. The other controller is a single-chip microprocessor in a ventilator that controls the ventilator's settings in accordance with the computer settings. After setting up the system, an artificial lung model simulating a patient's lung is used to test the system. The result of test run indicated that it always responds to a patient's lung condition in a stable manner. Thus, the proposed system with its intelligent modules may assist clinicians in caring for patients and managing ventilator operation.