Use of the Genetic Algorithm for the Optimal Operation of Multi-Reservoirs on Demand Irrigation System

This study presents the application of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) model developed for computation of the optimal supply hydrographs in on demand irrigation systems aimed at the optimal regulation of the upstream storage reservoirs. The model was applied to an Italian irrigation scheme whe re the optimal inflows to five reservoirs were computed. The obtained result is characteris ed by two inflow values. In addition, the maximum discharge supplied by the upstream dam was redu ced by 10.65 %, and the maximum violation of reservoirs water levels was reduced to acceptable values. The optimal solution guarantees to satisfy the daily demand requirements, to minimize the maximum discharge delivered by the upstream dam, and to avoi d the reservoirs emptiness. In addition, the on- demand delivery schedule according to the actual demand hydrograph recorded downstream the reservoirs may be applied also during the peak period