Project Number: 5347-13000-015-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 05, 2008
End Date: Jul 31, 2010

Objective:
The goal of the research is physically based algorithms and computer code, merged with WinSRFR -- the ARS/ALARC surface-irrigation software -- to enhance the latter¿s furrow-flow simulation capabilities to include prediction of sediment entrainment, deposition, and off-site discharge in the tailwater. The predictive relationships are to be based on as few as possible site-specific physical field data such as particle-size distribution, sediment specific gravity, and bulk soil erodibility and critical shear.

Approach:
The approach in this joint research effort is to share ARS and UofA treatments of one-dimensional simulations of erosion, transport, and deposition of sediments in open channel flow (without concern for morphological changes in bed configuration). Potential improvements in modeling the phenomena will be coded and added to existing surface-irrigation simulation software, and the results analyzed. Initially, the simulation software will be wSRFR, a simulation-only portion of WinSRFR¿s total capabilities. A range of physical parameters will be investigated, all with bottom slopes steep enough to support the kinematic-wave solution technique -- between 0.1% and 1%. Soil textures ranging from fine sand to silty clay will be postulated, to test the range of application of the model. Portneuf silt loam in particular will be investigated, because of extensive field data on this soil gathered by the ARS North West Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, available for model calibration and verification. Documents SCA with The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.