ABSTRACT
Abstract The irrigation literature generally supports the idea that flow measurement is an important precursor to improved monitoring and management of surface irrigation schemes. However, the construction, maintenance and operation of flow measurement structures, coupled with the collection and analysis of data from them, create logistical problems which erode their effective use. In acknowledging this, but still aiming to raise the performance of irrigation, it becomes necessary to think of other ways that monitoring can be conducted while maintaining the value of the information collected. In this paper, three avenues are explored, based on; key-location flow measurement; passive flow measurement and no flow measurement. In the discussion under no flow measurement, applicable to rotational irrigation, the concept of irrigation progress per day (ha/day) is introduced. In addition, a brief discussion on the management of monitoring covers linkages with water management, use of computers, devolving responsibility and phased planning of interventions. Keywords: Canal irrigation, flow measurement, irrigation management, monitoring, performance.
