摘要：In this research, it was aimed to create a model on monitoring and evaluation of irrigation schemes in large areas where several plant species and cultivars were grown in an irrigation season. In the study, the flow gauging stations (FGSs) were installed on drainage and irrigation canals to measure incoming and outgoing flows to evaluate irrigation management practices in a large-scale irrigation scheme. The amount of irrigation waters diverted to the area was measured with the FGSs on the irrigation canals, concurrently with the measurements of outgoing drainage waters, i.e. irrigation return flows (IRFs). In this regard, water depths at the canal cross-sections were firstly recorded at ten-minute intervals, then measured water depths (h) were converted toflow rates (Q) by utilizing stage-discharge rating curves (Q=f(h)) developed exclusively at each FGS. Assessing IRF hydrographs by time revealed that irrigation was mostly done during daytime in the catchment although the irrigation scheme was planned and designed for continuous irrigation. Inappropriate irrigation management technique caused to waste recklessly precious fresh water source to the drainage. Excessive and unconscious water use in the irrigation scheme may be prevented by taking basic measures such as obeying planning principles of the irrigation scheme and being aware of the fact that water should be saved for the sake of other water demanding sectors.
关键词：Crop water use;Irrigation;Drainage;Irrigation district
