Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 10.2 Turno in Chilean Irrigation Systems (Source: Interviews; Alvarez
( 2005 ))
The turno is the process employed during drought periods to manage a
proportional reduction of water rights and distribution of water to different
users on a specific daily schedule. The system of turno is a very old tradi-
tional Spanish system of proportionally reducing the amount of water each
rights holder receives, but attempting to ensure that all the rights holders
receive a proportion of their water rights. The turno is divided into shifts,
which lasts a certain number of days. For example, if there are five zones to
a canal, each zone will receive water for 7 days. So the first zone is allocated
water for 1 week, and then the next 4 weeks they receive no water. During
the time that it doesn't receive water, the zone is dry, and the other zones are
allocated water in their shifts. The turno can take place between a single
sub-canal, across a number of canals within one section of the river, or
across multiple sections of the river. It tends to highlight the latent power
imbalances between upstream and downstream water users, as well as those
with stronger and weaker rights within a single canal or section of the river
(Alvarez 2005 ) .
Box 10.3 Integrated and Coordinated Action Against Flooding: MINERVE
(Source: http://www.aqueduc.info )
The project stands for 'Modélisation des Intempéries de Nature Extrême,
des Retenues Valaisannes et de leurs Effets' which is the initiative by the can-
ton to improve the modelling of extreme events and natural hazards, their
retention and effects. The project represents a public - private partnership
between the Canton Valais, l'Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(EPFL), Météosuisse, as well as a selection of hydropower companies. In
2002, EPFL and Météosuisse were engaged in order to develop the informa-
tion management system. Drawing on meteorological forecasts from
MétéoSuisse, the system calculates the flow rates up to 72 h in advance, in
order to provide water managers with enough time to put into effect anticipa-
tory actions that should minimise flood damage.
The project also takes into account both the impacts on hydropower opera-
tions and reservoirs, as well as the potential role that they might play in adap-
tation to increasing numbers of extreme events. The aim is to develop multi-use
infrastructure through innovative partnership techniques. Hydropower operators
have been in negotiations with the canton to secure extra storage in hydropower
(continued)
 
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