Analysis of the hydraulics of the irrigation canals of Otrar, Kazakhstan

The geometry of the former canal networks were measured for their hydraulic characteristics and the water storage and carrying capacity of the canals was estimated. The United Nations FAO “Cropwat” design software for estimating crop water requirements methodology was used to calculate the volume of water needed to irrigate typical crops grown. The canal network was then modelled using the US Corps of Engineers HEC RAS hydraulic modelling software to calculate the flow carrying capacity of the whole canal network. The hydraulic efficiency of the network and irrigation practices were used to estimate the likely areas of crops that could be adequately irrigated, providing information on the regions ability to grow grain and vegetable crop