Abstract:
Water scarcity is an alarming problem that we face now-a-days. Even though
we have abundant sources of water, good quality water is not available when most needed.
There comes the relevance of water conservation structures. Allocation of water in case of
multi purpose projects among various competing needs such as drinking water, irrigation,
industrial demands, downstream release, pisciculture etc. is a matter of great concern. Hence
reservoirs must be subjected to thorough analysis to see that each drop of water impounded
is utilized in the best possible manner .So a study was undertaken for the proposed
Regulator-Cum-Bridge at Chamravattom in Malappuram district with the specific objectives
of determining the optimum storage height and cropping pattern optimization for the
command area.
The storage height was optimized by considering the inflow and demands on
the reservoir for 18 years data. The height was decided as six meters as it gave least deficit
when compared to four and five. The optimal cropping pattern was suggested by using
Linear Programming Model. Three objectives were considered- maximization of profit,
maximization of area under cultivation and minimization of production cost. The model was
developed on a seasonal basis for Kharif, Rabi and Summer and solved using LINDO
software. The optimal solution was determined by analyzing the B/C ratio under different
cases for a particular season. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to find whether the
solutions obtained are optimal. The total area benefited by the project as obtained by the
model study was four times the area proposed by the Irrigation Department. The study
summarizes that optimal operational policies, even for small water resource projects,
increase the economical viability to a great extent and make the project more socially
acceptable.
