Determining the complex relationships between channel losses and channel gains for modelling open channel irrigation and water supply systems

Project Title:

Determining the complex relationships between channel losses and channel gains for modelling open channel irrigation and water supply systems.

Supervisor:

Assoc. Prof. Andrew Barton

Contact person and email address:

Assoc. Prof. Andrew Barton, a.barton@federation.edu.au

A brief description of the project:

Open channel water distribution systems are subject to evaporative and seepage losses, and may also gain water from direct rainfall and the harvesting of inflows. These losses and gains will vary over the year and are usually not directly measured. This means that for the purpose of modelling complex water systems, assumptions need to be made around how these losses and gains occur, and often in the context of closing the water balance for the overall model. This research will use a range of data made available through industry partners to improve our understanding of channel losses and gains, with the objective of improving modelling practices for the benefit of the whole water industry.