Experiment No.

5 (A) Date------------

Determination of Reference Crop Evapotranspiration by Pan Evaporation

method

5.1 Aim
To know of reference crop evapotranspiration by pan evaporation method

5.2 Materials required

1. USWB Class A open pan evaporimeter 

2. Scale

5.3 Introduction
Evaporation is an important process of the hydrologic cycle. Approximately 75% of the total annual precipitation is
returned to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration. In hot climates, the loss of water by evaporation from
rivers, canals and open-water bodies as evaporation is quite significant. Most of the water withdrawn for beneficial
uses ultimately returns to streams and aquifers and becomes available for reuse, while the loss of water due to
evaporation is entirely lost from the usable supply. Even in humid areas, evaporation loss is significant. High
evaporation loss in relation to the usable yield is characteristic of river systems in the country due to the climate,
character of stream flow and the great seasonal variations and pattern of runoff. Storage reservoirs are a major
source of water loss through evaporation as they are exposed to wide surfaces.

5.4 Working principle

An evaporation pan provides a measurement of the combined effect of temperature, humidity, wind speed and
sunshine on the reference crop evapotranspiration ETo. Pan evaporation measurements enable farmers and ranchers
to understand how much water their crops will need. This accuracy can be obtained because the still well prevents
rippling of the water surface. The amount of evaporation is a function of temperature, humidity, wind and other
ambient conditions. In order to relate the evaporation to wind current or expected conditions, the maximum and
minimum temperature as well as the amount of air passed is recorded with the evaporation. For a more exact use of
the evaporation pan it is recommended to use an additional wind path meter.

Diagram sketch of pan evaporimeter 

5.5 Procedure
It consists of a 120.7 cm diameter and 25.4 cm deep pan made of 20 gauge galvanized iron sheet with a stilling well of size 10
cm diameter and 30 cm height placed within the tank.

1. The pan is installed in the field

2. The pan is filled with a known quantity of water (the surface area of the pan is known and the water depth is
measured
3. The water is allowed to evaporate during a certain period of time (usually 24 hours). For example, each
morning at 7 o’clock a measurement is taken. The rainfall, if any, is measured simultaneously
4. After 24 hours, the remaining quantity of water (i.e. water depth) is measured
 5. The amount of evaporation per time unit (the difference between the two measured water depths) is
calculated; this is the pan evaporation: E pan (in mm/24 hours)
6. The E pan is multiplied by a pan coefficient, K pan, to obtain the ETo.
7. If the water depth in the pan drops too much (due to lack of rain), water is added and the water depth is
measured before and after the water is added. If the water level rises too much (due to rain) water is taken out
of the pan and the water depths before and after are measured.

5.6 Observations
Sl.No. Water depth Water depth in pan Difference K pan
in pan on on day 2
day 1

Pan evaporation method

The relationship is expressed by:

ETo = K pan × E pan

Where:

ETo = Reference crop evapotranspiration in mm/day for the period considered in crop

Kpan = Pan evaporation in mm/day and represents the mean daily value of the period Considered (0.75)

Epan = Pan coefficient

Determination of K pan
When using the evaporation pan to estimate the ETo, in fact, a comparison is made between the evaporation from
the water surface in the pan and the evapotranspiration of the standard grass. Of course the water in the pan and the
grass do not react in exactly the same way to the climate. Therefore a special coefficient is used (K pan) to relate one
to the other.

The pan coefficient, K pan, depends on: The type of pan used, pan environment: if the pan is placed in a fallow or
cropped area and the climate: the humidity and wind speed

For the Class A evaporation pan, the K pan varies between 0.35 and 0.85. Average K pan = 0.70.

For the Sunken Colorado pan, the K pan varies between 0.45 and 1.10. Average K pan = 0.80.
5.7 Calculation

5.8 Precautions

 If the rainfall is heavy, water must be removed from the tank with measuring cylinder. Difference There should not be
any leakage of water from the pan.
 Pan should always be placed 10 cm above the ground surface.
 The pan should be painted white once in a year.
5.9 Practical significance

The standard United States Weather Bureau (USWB) Class-A open pan evaporimeter is most commonly used to measure
evaporation from free water surface and crop evapotranspiration
5.10 Conclusion

Signature of Faculty In-charge