Chen et al. (2026) A novel optimal water distribution model for multi-level canal system based on terminal demand-driven methodology

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-30
• Authors: X L Chen, Zenglin Peng, Yulong Dai, Yuanlai Cui
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110588

Research Groups

• State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, China

Short Summary

This study proposes a novel optimal water distribution model for multi-level canal systems based on terminal demand-driven methodology. The model, called DCL-ROM, reduces the optimization dimensionality by treating the discharge at field outlets as the sole decision variable.

Objective

• Develop an optimal water allocation method for complex multi-level canal networks that possesses both structural generality and engineering practicality.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Large-scale irrigation districts in China.
• Temporal Scale: Daily to seasonal time scales.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Demand-driven, Cascaded-Layer Recursive Optimization Model (DCL-ROM).
• Data sources: Historical records of the digital twin platform of the Ganfu Plain Irrigation District.

Main Results

• The DCL-ROM model reduced water conveyance loss rates by 44.57% and 29.64% for the West Main Canal System and East Main Canal System, respectively.
• The optimized outlet discharges were distributed more uniformly, with most outlets operating near their economic discharge range.
• The rotational grouping structure of the canal system was reshaped, reducing instantaneous peak discharge in the canals.

Contributions

• This study provides a novel optimal water distribution model for multi-level canal systems that addresses the structural complexity and objective conflicts inherent in existing models.
• The DCL-ROM model integrates structural generality with engineering practicality, serving as an actionable decision-making tool for efficient water distribution in complex multi-level canal systems.

Funding

• This research was funded by the State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, China.

Citation

@article{Chen2026novel,
  author = {Chen, X L and Peng, Zenglin and Dai, Yulong and Cui, Yuanlai},
  title = {A novel optimal water distribution model for multi-level canal system based on terminal demand-driven methodology},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110588},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110588}
}