Water use assessment indices under the influence of return flows in irrigation districts
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Graphical Abstract
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Abstract
In order to accurately evaluate the water use efficiency in irrigation districts, several new indices were proposed to measure the efficiency and benefit of water use in this study.The water balance components are simulated using integrated surface and groundwater models in the Liuyuankou Irrigation District (LID).Thus, the new indices take into account the influence of return flows.The Statewide Agricultural Production (SWAP) model and a liner model are used to simulate the crop yields in the LID.On this basis, the indices measuring water use efficiency and benefit can be calculated and analyzed for different patterns of water-use. The influence of various water saving measures on the efficiency and benefit of water use is discussed.Results show that although, over different regions of LID, the results of well-canal combined irrigation mode and water-saving irrigation mode can be different in terms of water use efficiency.The use of both modes can improve the overall efficiency and benefit of water use in the LID.The study provides a theoretical method and theoretical basis for the water use assessment in irrigation districts.
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