Predictive control is one of the most commonly used control methods in a variety of application areas, including hydraulic processes such as water distribution canals for irrigation. This article presents the design and application of predictive control for the water discharge entering into an irrigation canal located in Spain. First, a discrete time linear model of the process is described and its parameters are experimentally identified. The model is well validated within the usual canal operating range and is used to formulate a predictive control law with an incremental formulation. Finally, experimental and simulation results are presented in which predictive control has shown better performance than a well-tuned proportional, integral and derivative controller to automatically manage demanded water discharges.