# Comparison of Various Models for Optimal Water Distribution in Canal Systems
## 4 Discussion and Conclusions  
In this study, five water distribution models for canals were selected and applied to the Fengqigou branch canal of the Bojili Irrigation District. The advantages and disadvantages of each model were discussed and analyzed from five perspectives: total duration of water distribution; utilization of canal engineering capacity; leakage losses in canal water delivery; water abandonment volume; and operability for irrigation managers. The results showed that in Irrigation Models 1 and 2, where gates were operated without frequent upstream and downstream movement, the total distribution time was longer, and the engineering capacity was underutilized. However, these models exhibited fewer leakage losses. In Irrigation Models 3 and 4, the tertiary canals were grouped into different categories, which shortened the total distribution time but led to greater leakage losses in the branch canals. Additionally, managers needed to travel upstream and downstream to open and close gates. Irrigation Model 4 could be easily managed through rational optimization, making it more efficient. Irrigation Model 5 performed poorly across all indicators, and exhibited a significant amount of idle time during the water distribution process.  
This study focuses on water distribution models, which are applied in a domain distinct from other research, making direct comparison of results challenging. Previous studies have mainly focused on improving the models themselves and their solution methods, with less attention given to the evaluation and comparison of different models. This, therefore, represents a key contribution of this study. The data presented include fundamental channel information and model parameters. While the data volume is relatively small, it stands apart from the large-scale field experiments commonly found in agricultural water management. This study emphasizes the development and practical application of the model.  
This study primarily compares the results of five different water distribution models, with a particular focus on open canal irrigation systems. The assumptions and calculation methods of the models are based on the flow characteristics and distribution patterns specific to open canals, making the results largely applicable to open canal irrigation systems. Due to the significant differences between pipeline irrigation systems and open canals in terms of flow characteristics, control methods, and other factors, the water distribution model results discussed in this paper are not applicable to pipeline irrigation systems.  
All authors contributed to this paper. X.Z.: Methodology, Conceptualization, Writing--Original Draft; Y.F.: Supervision, Conceptualization, Writing--Review and Editing; Z.G.: Visualization, Supervision; M.Y.: Modeling, Validation; Y.W. and X.L.: Data Collation, Data Analysis. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This work was supported by the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (grant number GZC20233114) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Certificate Number: 2023M743894).  
Not applicable.  
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.  
Author [PERSON] was employed by the company Qingdao Yellow River Water Supply and Drainage Group Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.