The Nile is almost the only water source in Egypt and the limitation of the river resource with the rapid increase of the demand on water set Egypt to face up an expected water scarcity. The attempts of the south countries for more utilization of the Nile water intensify the problem. Given that the chance to increase Nile water resources is very limited and the requirements are rapidly increasing, the only feasible way to confront the expected irrigation crises is to increase the irrigation efficiency and water productivity. Irrigation improvement project (IIP) is one of the most attempts in Egypt to implement more effective on-farm irrigation technologies for modifying traditional irrigation system and saving water by improving the existing delivery system in the Nile delta of Egypt with a total area of about 1.05 million ha by 2017. The improved irrigation system was designed on applying the continuous flow and applying internal rotation (Motarfa) between Mesqas. Practically the continuous flow system was not applied truly in any improved canals.
This study aims to investigate the feasibility of applying the rotation system in the improved branch canals in Egypt. Dakalt canal was chosen as study area as an example for the improved canals. The results showed that applying the rotation system in Dakalt canal was not only applicable, but it could decrease water crises at the tail end regions with lower water supply. Based on the results, it is recommended to apply the rotation system in the improved regions (IIP1 region) especially in the paddy areas. |
