Irrigation in the Medieval Islamic Fayyum: Local Control in a Large-Scale Hydraulic System

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yossef Rapoport ◽  
Ido Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Local Control ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Hydraulic System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Islamic Period ◽  
Distinctive Aspect

Abstract Because of the unique set of sources available, the Fayyum in Middle Egypt offers a unique case study of large-scale irrigation from antiquity to the Islamic period. A close reading of a cadastral survey of the province from 641/1243-4 shows that the distinctive aspect of the Islamic period was the local control of water supply and management. Drawing on the engineering experience of the villagers, water allocation and management in the gravity-fed canals of the Fayyum were in the hands of iqṭāʿ holders and tribal groups along the main canals, a pattern similar to that which pertained in mediaeval al-Andalus.

scholarly journals Study on the Raw Water Allocation and Optimization in Shenzhen City, China

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Jiang ◽  
Chao Wang ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Zhongkai Feng ◽  
Changming Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Topological Analysis ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Water Supply System ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Raw Water ◽  
Allocation Model

In order to allocate the raw water of the complex water supply system in Shenzhen reasonably, this paper studied the complex network relationship of this large-scale urban water supply system, which consists of 46 reservoirs, 67 waterworks, 2 external diversion water sources, 14 pumping stations and 9 gates, and described each component of the system with the concepts of point, line and plane. Using the topological analysis technology and graph theory, a generalized model of the network topological structure of the urban water allocation system was established. On this basis, combined with the water demand prediction and allocation model of waterworks, a water resources allocation model was established, aiming at satisfying the guaranteed rate of the water supply. The decomposition and coordination principle of the large-scale system and the dynamic simulation technology of the supply-demand balance were adopted to solve the model. The forward calculation mode of controlling waterworks and pumps, and the reverse calculation mode of controlling reservoirs and waterworks were designed in solving the model, and a double-layer feedback mechanism was formed, which took the reverse calculation mode as outer feedback and the reservoir water level constraint or pipeline capacity constraint as inner feedback. Through the verification calculation of the case study, it was found that the proposed model can deal well with the raw water allocation of a large-scale complex water supply system, which had an important application value and a practical significance.

scholarly journals Hydro-Economic Water Allocation Model for Water Supply Risk Analysis: A Case Study of Namhan River Basin, South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6005
Author(s):  
Gimoon Jeong ◽  
Doosun Kang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Supply Risk ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Water Supply Risk

Rational water resource management is used to ensure a stable supply of water by predicting the supply of and demand for future water resources. However, rational water allocation will become more difficult in the future owing to the effects of climate change, causing water shortages and disputes. In this study, an advanced hydro-economic water allocation and management model (WAMM) was introduced by improving the optimization scheme employed in conventional models and incorporating the economic value of water. By relying upon economic valuation, the WAMM can support water allocation efforts that focus not only on the stability but also on the economic benefits of water supply. The water supply risk was evaluated following the different objective functions and optimization methods provided by the WAMM using a case study of the Namhan River basin in South Korea under a climate change scenario over the next 30 years. The water shortages and associated economic damage were compared, and the superior ability of WAMM to mitigate future water shortages using economic valuation and full-step linear programming (FSLP) optimization was demonstrated. It is expected that the WAMM can be applied to help resolve water shortages and disputes among river basin units under severe drought conditions.

Water resources management in central northern Namibia using empirically grounded modelling

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Saline Groundwater ◽  
Water Supply Management ◽  
External Water ◽  
High Precipitation ◽  
System Variables

In this paper, a new methodology for the analysis and assessment of water supply regimes is presented. The problems of water supply management in developing countries are multidimensional and interdependent. Conventional methods, which only deal with separated and isolated issues, are not appropriate to deal with these problems. The method presented here, however, can comprehend the whole system. Therefore, using this method, conclusions for the management of adapted institutional and technological transformations can be drawn. In this study, relevant system variables of a problem context are identified, and their interdependencies are assessed and interpreted. This is done by using a method of qualitative interview analysis (grounded theory) and a cybernetic modelling approach (sensitivity analysis). In doing so, it is possible to identify outstanding variables which are essential to understand the system. These variables reveal the weakest links, driving forces, systemic stabilisers and the sustainability indicators of the system. The case study area is the Cuvelai-Etosha-Basin in central northern Namibia where a large-scale water supply system has been established. The water supply in the region is determined by the dependence on external water resources, high precipitation variability, absence of perennial rivers, saline groundwater, population growth and urbanisation.

scholarly journals Low Trihalomethane Formation during Managed Aquifer Recharge with Chlorinated Desalinated Water

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Bernstein ◽  
Raz Studny ◽  
Vinolia Shyntychea ◽  
Daniel Kurtzman ◽  
Yonatan Ganot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
By Products

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are toxic disinfection by-products, formed in the reaction of chlorine with organic matter. This work aimed to study THM formation during a unique case study of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) with chlorinated desalinated seawater. THM formation was tested in the field, along a 3.0 m deep vadose zone gallery. Two small-scale experiments were conducted in the site, with untreated and with bromide spiked desalinated seawater. These were accompanied by a large-scale, ~1-month long operational MAR event. In the small-scale experiments, THM concentrations were shown to increase with bromide concentrations, with increasing dominance of the brominated species. Nevertheless, concentrations remained within the single µg/L range, which is an order of magnitude lower than drinking water regulations. Such low THM concentrations were also determined in the large-scale event. In both cases, THM formation occurred in the ponding water, without significant formation or degradation in the upper 3.0 m of the vadose zone. This study shows that MAR with chlorinated (<0.5 mg/L) desalinated seawater through sandy infiltration basins does not pose a threat to drinking water quality at this site.

scholarly journals The site of Shaym Qalʿa, Marw oasis: reconsidering the chain of information

2019 ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Costanza Francavilla
Keyword(s):  
Unique Case ◽  
Islamic Period ◽  
Military Camp ◽  
Ancient City ◽  
Settlement Dynamics ◽  
Early Islamic Period ◽  
Early Islamic

The ancient city of Marw, Turkmenistan, represents a unique case study for having been the object of many archaeological expeditions, from the pioneering mission of R. Pumpelly (1903-1904) to the most recent aerial-topographic studies of T. Williams “The Ancient Merv Project” (2001-2003). Nevertheless, the settlement dynamics during the transition from Late Sasanian to Early Islamic period (7th-8th cs. A.D.) are not well understood. This contribution focuses on some observations on the site of Shaym Qal.a, a quadrangular area close to the modern tepe of Gyaur Qal.a. The latter one represents the hellenistic Antiochia Margiana later determined to be an important shahrestan of the Sasanian’s northeastern territories. At first, it was hypothesized that Shaym Qal.a was a Seljuks military camp (11th-12th cs.), however recent archaeological studies have uncovered elements which could backdate the site to the 8th century. These data go along with Yakubovskii and Bosworth (1991) statements about the ancient Marw; so, the actual hypothesis is that Shaym Qal.a is an Early Islamic military camp, that is a mi.r. This paper illustrates this latter hypothesis including the favorable points challenges. In addition, this paper verifies two ancient authors, al-.abari and al-Muqaddasi. Through the readings of the Islamic historians the identification of Shaym Qal.a can be reconsidered.

scholarly journals On inclusion of water resource management in Earth system models – Part 2: Representation of water supply and allocation and opportunities for improved modeling

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nazemi ◽  
H. S. Wheater
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Earth System Models

Abstract. Human water use has significantly increased during the recent past. Water withdrawals from surface and groundwater sources have altered terrestrial discharge and storage, with large variability in time and space. These withdrawals are driven by sectoral demands for water, but are commonly subject to supply constraints, which determine water allocation. Water supply and allocation, therefore, should be considered together with water demand and appropriately included in Earth system models to address various large-scale effects with or without considering possible climate interactions. In a companion paper, we review the modeling of demand in large-scale models. Here, we review the algorithms developed to represent the elements of water supply and allocation in land surface and global hydrologic models. We note that some potentially important online implications, such as the effects of large reservoirs on land–atmospheric feedbacks, have not yet been fully investigated. Regarding offline implications, we find that there are important elements, such as groundwater availability and withdrawals, and the representation of large reservoirs, which should be improved. We identify major sources of uncertainty in current simulations due to limitations in data support, water allocation algorithms, host large-scale models as well as propagation of various biases across the integrated modeling system. Considering these findings with those highlighted in our companion paper, we note that advancements in computation and coupling techniques as well as improvements in natural and anthropogenic process representation and parameterization in host large-scale models, in conjunction with remote sensing and data assimilation can facilitate inclusion of water resource management at larger scales. Nonetheless, various modeling options should be carefully considered, diagnosed and intercompared. We propose a modular framework to develop integrated models based on multiple hypotheses for data support, water resource management algorithms and host models in a unified uncertainty assessment framework. A key to this development is the availability of regional-scale data for model development, diagnosis and validation. We argue that the time is right for a global initiative, based on regional case studies, to move this agenda forward.

scholarly journals On inclusion of water resource management in Earth System models – Part 2: Representation of water supply and allocation and opportunities for improved modeling

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 8299-8354
Author(s):  
A. Nazemi ◽  
H. S. Wheater
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Earth System ◽  
System Models ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Earth System Models

Abstract. Human water use has significantly increased during the recent past. Water allocation from surface and groundwater sources has altered terrestrial discharge and storage, with large variability in time and space. Water supply and allocation, therefore, should be considered with water demand and appropriately included in large-scale models to address various online and offline implications, with or without considering possible climate interactions. Here, we review the algorithms developed to represent the elements of water supply and allocation in large-scale models, in particular Land Surface Schemes and Global Hydrologic Models. We noted that some potentially-important online implications, such as the effects of large reservoirs on land-atmospheric feedbacks, have not yet been addressed. Regarding offline implications, we find that there are important elements, such as groundwater availability and withdrawals, and the representation of large reservoirs, which should be improved. Major sources of uncertainty in offline simulations include data support, water allocation algorithms and host large-scale models. Considering these findings with those highlighted in our companion paper, we note that advancements in computation, host models, system identification algorithms as well as remote sensing and data assimilation products can facilitate improved representations of water resource management at larger scales. We further propose a modular development framework to consider and test multiple datasets, algorithms and host models in a unified model diagnosis and uncertainty assessment framework. We suggest that such a framework is required to systematically improve current representations of water resource management in Earth System models. A key to this development is the availability of regional scale data. We argue that the time is right for a global initiative, based on regional case studies, to move this agenda forward.

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