Study of environmental aspects of irrigation systems using GIS | |
| Author | Patel, Manish C. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. WM-95-29 |
| Subject(s) | Irrigation farming--Environmental aspects Geographic information systems |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Civil Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. WM-95-29 |
| Abstract | The present study attempts to identify various environmental impacts of an irrigation system by considering the Kraseio Irrigation Scheme in Suphanburi province, Thailand as the project for intensive study. It also aims in preparing a database of the project which can be periodically updated using the environmental changes caused by the irrigation scheme. Irrigation water quality, water-borne diseases, groundwater quality, changes in cropping pattern and soil parameters were selected for detailed study. Selected parameters were analyzed using chemical analysis, locally available data and Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool. For preparing database of the project, vector based thematic maps of the impact parameters were developed by digitization of existing maps and input of the available information and the same were analyzed to detect the changes in environment. The ICID checklist was used for assessing environmental effects of the project. Water deliveries at the tertiruy unit were studied for determining canal performance in an irrigation system. Deviation from the designed requirement indicates the uneven distribution of water at the tertiruy units. Water requirements and deliveries were studied which indicates that most of the environmental impacts of the system are due to excessive water supply and faulty irrigation practices. Changes in status of irrigation and groundwater quality parameters like pH, EC, TDS, chloride, alkalinity and total hardness were determined in laboratory and were compared with the pre-irrigation data to estimate the impacts of irrigation scheme on local environment. From the intensive study, it can be concluded that, in the selected irrigation system, certain impacts on environment resulted over a period of time which would vary from system to system and also within the system from location to location. These impacts could be listed as changes in soil properties, cropping patterns and deterioration in groundwater quality. The beneficial effects of the system consists in increasing cropyields, thereby improving the living standards of the community served, by increasing employment opportunities, per head income, and providing water supply for drinking and sanitation within the project area. The method followed in this study can be used to study the impacts of any irrigation system on environment with some modification as per specific requirement and could be a useful tool for long term monitoring and evaluation of irrigation systems. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. WM-95-29 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Civil Engineering |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Murty, V.V.N. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Loof, Rainer;Kaew Nualchawee;Gupta, Ashim Das |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Partial Scholarship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology |