MADE ERSY Irrigation Principles, Practices and Project

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() Flow irrigation
Water available at higher level is supplied to a lower level by the action of gravity.

(ii) Lift irrigation

Water available at lower level is lifted to a higher level by mechanical or manual means and then

supplied for irrigation. (e.g. pumps etc.)

Mostly tubewells are used for this purpose.
Flow irrigation can be further subdivided into:
(a) Perennial irrigation (b) Flood irrigation
1.6.2 Subsurface Irrigation
In this method, water flows underground and nourishes plant roots by capillarity.
Water is applied tothe rootzones of crops by underground network of pipes
The network consists of main pipe, sub main pipes and lateral perforated pipes.
This method is suitable for soils which are highly permeable.
It may be divided into following two types.
) Natural Sub-irrigation
Leakage waterfrom channels during its passage through sub soil irrigates crops sown on lower

lands
(i) Artificial Sub-irrigation
In this method, a system of open jointed drain is artificially laid belowthe soil.
This is costly process, so recommended in areas where crops provide high returns.

1.7 Methods of Irrigation

Irrigation water can be applied to crop lands using one of the following irrigation methods :

() Surface irrigation
(a) Uncontrolled (or wild or free) flooding method, (b) Border strip method,
(d) Basin method, and
(c)Checkmethod,
(e) Furrow method.
(i) Subsurface irrigation
(ii) Sprinkler irrigation
(iv) Trickle (Drip) irrigation
Each of the above methods have some advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of the method

depends on the following factors:

() Size, shape, and slope of the field,
(i) Soil characteristics
(ii) Nature and availability of the water supply subsystem,
(iv) Types of crops being grown,
(v)Initial development costs and availability of funds, and
(vi) Preferences and past experience of the farmer

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Civil Engineering Irrigation
Engineering ERSH
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1.7.1 Uncontrolled Flooding Supply channel

Ditches are excavated in the field. the

allowed to flow across
Water from these ditches are
F.R FR
field without any restriction by opening the field regulators.
In case of controlled free flooding, surplus water flows F.R. FR.
the waste water channel and is discharged into
through
the river or drainage. ER FR
In this method, cost of land preparation is low and cost of Waste channel
labour is high.
F.C. Field Channel
The main disadvantage is that the water application F.R. = Field Regulator

efficiency is low (especially whenflooding is not controlled).

Fig. 1.1
Inthis case, wa.have.series offieldchannels connected to
the main supply channel.

1.7.2 Border Flooding

In this method, land is divided into a series oflong. uniformly graded, narrow strips separated by
low levees (i.e. small bunds).
Here, levees guide the flow of water down the field.
Usually, length of stripsis in the range 100to 400 m whereas width of strips is in the range 10to20m
This method is suitable when the area is levelled in direction perpendicular to theflow in order to
prevent water from concentrating on eitherside ofthe border
Water is allowed to flow from supply ditchinto each strip and during its travel water gets infiltrated
intothe soil.
As soon as the water reaches the lower end of the strip, water supply to that strip is turned ofi.
This is the most popular method of flooding.

NOTE: If the land is not properly graded and thereis cross slope,theirrigation water will not spread evenly
Over the field

1.7.2.1 Time taken by irrigation water to irrigate an area

Time required by irigation water to irrigate an area can be given Supply channel

by following formula

t-2.303log A B.S B.S

where, Q Discharge through the supply ditch
y average depth of water flowing over the strip
f= rate of infiltration of the soil
B.S. Border Strips
A area of the land irrigated L Leeves
Fig. 1.2

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