Integrated hydraulic planning for waterway rehabilitation decisions

Planning is the first and most crucial step in problem management and decision-making. Waterway rehabilitation is a widely adopted solution to address the various challenges faced by irrigation canals, such as improving hydraulic efficiency and increasing capacity to meet rising water demands. Uninformed decisions regarding rehabilitation can lead to wasteful expenditure of time, resources, and effort. Therefore, the need for rehabilitation should be guided by a well-defined strategy that identifies hydraulic problems and evaluates the potential impact of rehabilitation measures in addressing these issues. This study aims to develop a strategy to assist decision-makers in assessing the necessity of canal rehabilitation. It proposes a combination of field investigations and numerical modeling to inform decision-making processes. The Suez Waterway in Egypt, an earthen canal, was chosen as a case study. This canal faces significant challenges due to increased sedimentation, which has reduced its flow velocity and discharge capacity. To meet the growing water demands driven by population growth, a need to increase its flow capacity from 3.74 million to 4.53 million cubic meters per day. This study investigates the feasibility of enhancing the hydraulic performance of the canal by modifying its cross-sectional geometry through reshaping and sediment removal, to restore or increase its flow capacity by improving flow velocity and reducing the friction coefficient. In conclusion, this study presents a strategic, data-driven approach for earthen and lined canal rehabilitation decision-making, emphasizing the importance of informed, evidence-based solutions to address hydraulic challenges in irrigation canals. Additionally, it highlights the need to leverage non-traditional water resources to meet future water management demands.