Modern Methods in Canal Operation and Control
4th International Technical Workshop and Study Tour
Denver, Colorado, USA
(Study Tour in Utah and Arizona)
June 11-21, 2007
Denver, Colorado, USA
(Study Tour in Utah and Arizona)
June 11-21, 2007
Introduction | Who Should Attend | Agenda | Training Staff | Cost and Registration | Publications |
Lodging | Climate/Clothing Suggestions | Medical Insurance | Confirmation |
Airline Arrangements
Please Note: This Workshop follows the USCID Second Conference on SCADA and Related Technologies for Irrigation System Modernization to be held in Denver, Colorado, from June 6-9, 2007. See http://www.uscid.org/.
INTRODUCTION
Canal automation is becoming widely used to improve the operation of canal systems and to conserve water. Most new canals have an automatic control system. Additionally, many older canals are being modernized with data collection, telemetry, and control equipment that helps canal operators better manage their water.The Bureau of Reclamation’s Water Resources Research Laboratory has developed a training course on canal operation and control. This course covers modern methods to upgrade the operations of existing canals, including canal automation techniques and equipment.
The curriculum includes a combination of classroom discussions, equipment demonstrations, and laboratory workshops that target canal operators, water masters, engineers, and other technical staff. Course topics include:
• canal hydraulics
• canal operations
• local automatic gate control
• supervisory control
• flow measurement
• instrumentation systems
• communication systems
• canal automation equipment
• electrical and mechanical systems
• case studies
A model canal facility is located in Reclamation’s hydraulics laboratory and is the core of the training course. This laboratory model is a 300-foot-long canal made from clear acrylic Plexiglas® and aluminum with motorized control gates, turnouts, a long-throated flow measurement flume, and an inverted siphon. It is fully instrumented to remotely monitor and control water levels, gate positions, and flows with both manual and automatic control features. The model canal was designed specifically to provide training through “hands-on” workshops where students experience different canal operating techniques and control methods. This model canal facility has many of the modern control features used on actual canals.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The course is designed for canal operators, engineers, and managers interested in modern methods of canal operation and control. This course covers methods to upgrade the operations of existing canals using canal automation techniques and equipment, with “hands-on” workshop sessions that use the model canal facility.All presentations, discussions and printed materials will be in the English language. Participants are encouraged to have a good command of general and technical English usage.
AGENDA
Monday, June 11• Welcome and Course Introduction
• Tour of Reclamation’s hydraulics laboratory
• Basic hydraulics
• Canal hydraulics lab demonstration
• Conventional canal operations
• Canal operation lab
Tuesday, June 12
• Modern canal operations
• Canal operation lab workshops
• Fundamentals of automatic control
• Feedback controllers
• Local automatic control computer workshop
• Local automatic control lab demonstration
Wednesday, June 13
• Flow measurement
• Flow measurement lab workshops
• Long-throated flume design
• Instrumentation systems
Thursday, June 14
• Instrumentation lab workshops
• Communication systems
• Canal automation equipment
• SCADA system software demonstration
• Canal Olympics (canal control competition)
Friday, June 15
• Results of Canal Olympics
• Specific modernization projects/case studies
• Miscellaneous questions and discussion
• Discussion related to study tour sites that will be visited
Travel by air to Salt Lake City (ticket provided by Reclamation). Overnight: Salt Lake City, Utah.
Saturday, June 16
Travel by charter motor coach to Richfield, Utah. Tour small scale automation sites in Richfield area on the Sevier River, including canal control point locations and web site demonstration. Overnight in Richfield, Utah.
Sunday, June 17
Travel by charter motor coach to Bryce Canyon National Park. Tour Bryce Canyon National Park. Overnight Bryce Canyon National Park.
Monday, June 18
Depart Bryce Canyon National Park by charter motor coach. Travel to the South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park. Overnight at Grand Canyon National Park.
Tuesday, June 19
Depart Grand Canyon on charter motor coach. Possible visit to New Waddell Dam and Control Center of the Central Arizona Project. Overnight in Phoenix, Arizona.
Wednesday, June 20
Visit medium and large scale automation sites near Phoenix, Arizona. Overnight in Phoenix, Arizona.
Thursday, June 21
8:30 a.m. Breakfast banquet at the hotel. Summary and wrap up session - How it all fits together.
Questions and answers
Workshop will conclude at about 11:00 a.m.
TRAINING STAFF
Workshop instructors are engineers and scientists with extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of canal automation, operation and control. Most instructors are employees of the Bureau of Reclamation.
COST AND REGISTRATION
The registration fee is anticipated to be US $2,800 for each participant. This includes workshop instruction, various printed materials, transportation to the Bureau of Reclamation and back to the hotel each day, lodging for 11 nights, air travel from Denver to Salt Lake City, and ground transportation during the study tour.PUBLICATIONS
Outlines and summaries of presentations and other materials will be compiled into a notebook and distributed to all participants at the start of the Workshop. Participants will also receive the 2-volume Canal Systems Automation Manual and the Water Measurement Manual.LODGING
All lodging arrangements will be made by Reclamation. Because special group rates will be secured and to prevent logistical difficulties, participants will be expected to stay in the selected hotel. Exact hotel information will be sent to each participant upon receipt of payment for the Workshop. Eleven nights' lodging is included in the registration fee.CLIMATE/CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS
Spring weather can be unpredictable in Denver. Generally, participants can expect cool days and evenings. Warm jackets, hats, and gloves are recommended. Denver is at an altitude of 1,610 meters. The study tour will visit climates in Arizona and Utah, where the temperatures are somewhat warmer, but still require jackets in the evening.MEDICAL INSURANCE
The registration fee does not include medical/accident insurance. Accidental injury and medical emergency insurance is recommended for all participants and should be purchased prior to traveling to the United States. Participants will be responsible for any costs incurred relative to sickness or injury.CONFIRMATION
A confirmation package with additional information will be sent upon receipt of the registration form and payment. If necessary, details will be communicated by fax or E-mail.AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS
Participants should arrange their international travel into Denver, Colorado, and out of Phoenix, Arizona.For further information contact:
Leanna Principe
Bureau of Reclamation
International Affairs
Mail Stop 86-43100
P.O. Box 25007
Denver, CO 80225
Telephone: (303) 445-2127
Fax: (303) 445-6322
E-mail: Lprincipe@do.usbr.gov
Website: www.usbr.gov/international
Department of the Interior Mission: The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and our commitments to island communities.
Bureau of Reclamation Mission: To manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
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