Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation
• Diversion Structure
• Intake Structure or Pumping Station
• Conveyance System
• Distribution System
• Field Application System
• Drainage System
A. DIVERSION STRUCTURE
DIVERSION STRUCTURE
B. INTAKE STRUCTURE AND PUMPING
STATION
INTAKE STRUCTURE
• Field ditches have smaller dimensions and convey water from the farm
entrance to the irrigated fields.
OPEN CANALS
I. Canal characteristics
According to the shape of their cross-section, canals are called rectangular (a),
triangular (b), trapezoidal (c), circular (d), parabolic (e), and irregular or natural (f) .
A Trapezoidal Canal Cross-section
OPEN CANALS
are the risk of the side slopes collapsing and the water loss due to seepage.
The flow of irrigation water in the canals must always be under control.
For this purpose, canal structures are required.
They help regulate the flow and deliver the correct amount of water to
the different branches of the system and onward to the irrigated fields.
a. Canal erosion
Water flowing in steep canals can reach very high velocities. Soil particles
along the bottom and banks of an earthen canal are then lifted, carried away by the
water flow, and deposited downstream where they may block the canal and silt up
structures. The canal is said to be under erosion; the banks might eventually collapse.
CANAL STRUCTURES
EROSION CONTROL STRUCTURES
Distribution control structures are required for easy and accurate water
distribution within the irrigation system and on the farm.
a. Division boxes
Division boxes are used to divide or direct the flow of water between two or
more canals or ditches. Water enters the box through an opening on one side and
flows out through openings on the other sides. These openings are equipped with
gates.
CANAL STRUCTURES
Fig. A division box with three gates
CANAL STRUCTURES
DISTRIBUTION CONTROL STRUCTURES
b. Turnouts
Turnouts are constructed in the bank of a canal. They divert part of the
water from the canal to a smaller one.
Turnouts can be concrete structures (Fig. a), or pipe structures (Fig. b).
CANAL STRUCTURES
c. Checks
To divert water from the field ditch to the field, it is often necessary to raise
the water level in the ditch. Checks are structures placed across the ditch to block it
temporarily and to raise the upstream water level. Checks can be permanent
structures (Fig. a) or portable (Fig. b).
CANAL STRUCTURES
a. Flumes
Flumes are used to carry irrigation water across gullies, ravines or other
natural depressions. They are open canals made of wood (bamboo), metal or concrete
which often need to be supported by pillars.
CANAL STRUCTURES
b. Culverts
Fig. A culvert
CANAL STRUCTURES
C. Inverted siphons
When water has to be carried across a road which is at the same level as
or below the canal bottom, an inverted siphon is used instead of a culvert. The
structure consists of an inlet and outlet connected by a pipeline Inverted siphons
are also used to carry water across wide depressions.
Fig. An inverted siphon
CANAL STRUCTURES
WATER MEASUREMENT STRUCTURES
The principal objective of measuring irrigation water is to permit efficient
distribution and application. By measuring the flow of water, a farmer knows how much
water is applied during each irrigation.
In irrigation schemes where water costs are charged to the farmer, water
measurement provides a basis for estimating water charges.
The most commonly used water measuring structures are weirs and flumes. In
these structures, the water depth is read on a scale which is part of the structure. Using this
reading, the flow-rate is then computed from standard formulas or obtained from standard
tables prepared specially for the structure.
CANAL STRUCTURES
WATER MEASUREMENT STRUCTURES
a. Weirs
In its simplest form, a weir consists of a wall of timber, metal or concrete with an opening
with fixed dimensions cut in its edge . The opening, called a notch, may be rectangular,
trapezoidal or triangular.
CANAL STRUCTURES
A TRAPEZOIDAL WEIR
CANAL STRUCTURES
WATER MEASUREMENT STRUCTURES
b. Parshall flumes
The Parshall flume consists of a metal or concrete channel structure with
three main sections: (1) a converging section at the upstream end, leading to (2) a
constricted or throat section and (3) a diverging section at the downstream
end
Depending on the flow condition (free flow or submerged flow), the water
depth readings are taken on one scale only (the upstream one) or on both scales
simultaneously.
CANAL STRUCTURES
Parshall flumes
CANAL STRUCTURES
WATER MEASUREMENT STRUCTURES
c. Cut-throat flume
The cut-throat flume is similar to the Parshall flume, but has no throat
section, only converging and diverging sections . Unlike the Parshall flume, the cut-
throat flume has a flat bottom. Because it is easier to construct and install, the cut-
throat flume is often preferred to the Parshall flume.
CANAL STRUCTURES
Cut-throat flume
E. FIELD APPLICATION SYSTEMS
FIELD APPLICATION SYSTEMS
o There are many methods of applying water to the
field. The simplest one consists of bringing water
from the source of supply, such as a well, to each
plant with a bucket or a water-can .This is a very
time-consuming method and it involves quite
heavy work.
I. Surface Irrigation
Surface irrigation is the application of water to the fields at ground level. Either
the entire field is flooded or the water is directed into furrows or borders.
Surface Irrigation
I. Furrow irrigation
Furrows are narrow ditches dug on the field between the rows of crops. The
water runs along them as it moves down the slope of the field.
The water flows from the field ditch into the furrows by opening up the bank or
dyke of the ditch (see Fig. a) or by means of syphons or spiles. Siphons are small curved
pipes that deliver water over the ditch bank (see Fig. b). Spiles are small pipes buried in
the ditch bank (see Fig. c).
Surface Irrigation
Fig. a. Water flows into the furrows through openings in the bank
Surface Irrigation
The field to be irrigated is divided into strips (also called borders or border
strips) by parallel dykes or border ridges.
The water is released from the field ditch onto the border through gate
structures called outlets. The water can also be released by means of siphons or spiles.
The sheet of flowing water moves down the slope of the border, guided by the border
ridges.
Surface Irrigation
Border irrigation
Surface Irrigation
With sprinkler irrigation, artificial rainfall is created. The water is led to the
field through a pipe system in which the water is under pressure. The spraying is
accomplished by using several rotating sprinkler heads or spray nozzles (see Fig. a) or
a single gun type sprinkler (see Fig. b).
Sprinkler Irrigation
Drip Irrigation
In drip irrigation, also called trickle irrigation, the water is led to the field
through a pipe system. On the field, next to the row of plants or trees, a tube is
installed. At regular intervals, near the plants or trees, a hole is made in the tube and
equipped with an emitter.
The water is supplied slowly, drop by drop, to the plants through these
emitters.
Drip Irrigation
F. DRAINAGE SYSTEM
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
• A drainage system is necessary to remove excess
water from the irrigated land. This excess water
may be e.g. waste water from irrigation or surface
runoff from rainfall. It may also include leakage or
seepage water from the distribution system.