In this research study, an optimization model is developed for operating a single reservoir that irrigates multiple crops in a command area. The model optimizes a measure of crop production (combined for all the crops) by simulating it during the entire crop growth period. The model integrates various sub-models such as plant water up take, plant root growth etc., which are essential for simulating the actual crop development in the field. These sub models provide inputs to the optimization model in terms of reservoir storage at the beginning of a period, inflow during the previous period, soil moisture, and crop development already achieved up to the current period. The solution specifies the reservoir release and optimal irrigation allocations to individual crops during an intra-seasonal period. The model is applied to a case study of Chittar basin, in Tamil Nadu, and the results are in general encouraging.
