Implementation of a Decision Support System for Improving Irrigation Water Delivery: Case Study

Decision support systems (DSSs) for irrigation system management have many benefits, which include water savings and the development of optimal water delivery schedules, while maintaining farmer productivity. To address water shortage and improve water delivery, DSSs have been developed and utilized throughout the United States and the world and can be used to predict crop depletions using weather data to schedule water delivery on the basis of crop demand. The overall utility of DSSs is that they allow managers to continue water delivery and equitably distribute supplies during a water shortage. For a decision support system to be successfully utilized, the complicated challenge of implementation needs to be addressed. Decision support system implementation is often met with harsh resistance from water users and managers alike, and, in many cases, a scientifically sound model is often rejected because of misinformation and lack of user education. This paper presents the successful implementation of a DSS and scheduled water delivery in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). The implementation of the DSS was accomplished using a multifaceted approach that included gaining political support of the MRGCD Governing Board, training water masters and ditch riders in the use of the DSS, providing on-the-ground support and assistance, refining parameters in the DSS to address complexities, and gaining public acceptance for scheduled water delivery utilizing a DSS. A total of two key components for the implementation of the DSS and scheduled water delivery were linking it to the MRGCD supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA) and conducting a large public outreach and education campaign. The overall results of the DSS implementation were successful, and managers were able to deliver water to irrigators in a more efficient manner than traditional practice. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.