Model to estimate timing of aquatic weed control in drainage canals. Part 1

• Published in: Irrigation and drainage systems Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 157 - 169
• Main Author: Querner, E P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.1997
• Subjects: afvoer; Agrohydrologie; Agrohydrology; aquatic weeds; Canals; Capacity; channels; Discharge; Discharge (fluid mechanics); ditches; Drainage; Drainage canals; Drains; Flow rate; Groundwater; Groundwater flow; Hydraulics; kanalen; kanalen, klein; Land; Maintenance; Marine biology; Mathematical models; modellen; nederland; netherlands; Networks; onkruidbestrijding; rivers; rivieren; schadelijke waterplanten; sloten; streams; Time measurements; Variations; water; waterlopen; waterways; waterwegen; Weed control
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1005784620927
• ISSN: 0168-6291

In many parts of the Netherlands a dense network of water courses is necessary to drain the land. A related aspect is the changing transport capacity of the water courses due to the growth of aquatic plants in the growing season. In turn this phenomenon requires aquatic weeds to be controlled by water boards in order to maintain the water course's required capacity. The procedure outlined in this paper can be used to determine the frequency of weed control based on hydrological and hydraulic conditions. The drainage from groundwater gives an expected variation in discharge over the growing season. The permissible flow rate is governed by both the growth of weeds and the permissible water levels in the water course. Weed control is necessary during the growing season when the expected discharge is more than the permissible flow rate. This procedure has been incorporated in the model MWW (Maintenance of Water courses by Water boards). An example how to use MWW is given.