Abstract
Open canals are a common water transfer method used in water transfer projects and agricultural irrigation and drainage projects. With the emergence of drawbacks in traditional canal control models and the increasingly severe shortage of water resources, accurate transport and distribution of water in the canal system of the irrigation district, rational allocation of water resources, reduction in water loss, improvement in the efficiency and benefit of water resource utilization, and satisfaction of the water demand of different water users are needed. Many scholars have conducted extensive research on canal operation control and optimal scheduling. This paper systematically reviews and summarizes the relevant research progress, including the theory of unsteady flow in open canals, the operation mode of the canal system, the operation control model and algorithm of canal systems, and the optimization of water distribution in canal systems. By summarizing the research progress already achieved, the existing problems and future development directions are identified according to actual needs, providing a reference for the ongoing modernization of irrigation districts and the research and application of digital twin irrigation district technology.