Long-term water balances in La Violada Irrigation District (Spain): II. Analysis of irrigation performance

The analysis of long-term irrigation performance series is a valuable tool to improve irrigation management and efficiency. This work focuses in the assessment of irrigation performance indices along years 1995–2008, and the cause–effect relationships with irrigation modernization works taking place in the 4000 ha surface-irrigated La Violada Irrigation District (VID). Irrigation management was poor, as shown by the low mean seasonal irrigation consumptive use coefficient (ICUC = 51%) and the high relative water deficit (RWD = 20%) and drainage fraction (DRF = 54%). April had the poorest irrigation performance because corn (with low water demand in this month) was irrigated to promote its emergence, whereas winter grains (with high water demands in this month) were not fully irrigated in water-scarce years. Corn, highly sensitive to water stress, was the crop with best irrigation performance because it was preferentially irrigated to minimize yield losses. The construction of a new elevated canal that decreased seepage and drainage fractions, the entrance in operation of six internal reservoirs that would increase irrigation scheduling flexibility, and the on-going transformation from surface to sprinkler irrigation systems are critical changes in VID that should lead to improved ICUC, lower RWD and lower DRF. The implications of these modernization works on the conservation of water quantity and quality within and outside VID is further discussed.

► Irrigation management in La Violada Irrigation District was generally poor. Some crops experienced serious water deficits while drainage flows were very high.
► The fixed 24-hour-a-day scheduling of irrigation did not provide crops with the required irrigation volumes at proper times and produced high drainage volumes.
► The irrigation consumptive fraction and the relative water deficit increased in years with water shortages and drainage water reuse.
► April was the month with the poorest irrigation performance (irrigation consumptive use coefficient) due to excess irrigations given to corn to minimize soil crusting and promote its emergence.