Elid.

4201 Management of Canal Irrigation

System - 3 (2+1)

ER. NAMITHA M R
ASST. PROF. (C)
DEPT. OF IDE
KCAET, TAVANUR
MODULE 3

 Maintenance of unlined irrigation canals

 Measurement of discharge in canals
 Canal water distribution-Rostering
 Canal running schedule and Warabandhi
 Seepage losses in canal-Measurement
 Necessity of canal lining
 Advantages and disadvantages of canal lining
 Types of canal lining
 Desirable characteristics for the suitability of lining materials
 Design of lined canals
 Losses in canal

Evaporation
losses

Losses in canal

Transpiration
Seepage losses
losses
 Losses in canal
1. Evaporation Losses

The loss due to evaporation is generally a

small percentage of the total loss in unlined
canal.
It hardly exceeds 1 to 2 percent of the total
water entering into the canal.
The evaporation losses depend upon: (i)
Climatic factors such as temperature,
humidity and wind velocity and (ii) Canal
factors such as water surface area, water
depth and velocity of flow.
Fig: Losses in canals
 Losses in canal
1. Evaporation Losses

Maximum loss is there in summer months

when temperature are high and wind
velocities are also high.
Losses are maximum in unlined canals due
to wider water surface area, shallow water
depth and low velocity.
The average evaporation loss per day may
vary between 4mm to 10mm.

Fig: Losses in canals

 Losses in canal
2. Transpiration Losses

The transpiration loss takes place through

lot of vegetation and weeds growth along
the bank of canal.
However, this forms a extremely small
part of loss

Fig: Losses in canals

 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses

Seepage losses constitute major portion of

loss in an unlined canal.
The seepage losses are due to: Fig: Losses in canals
(i) absorption of water in the upper layer of
soil below the canal bed
(ii) percolation of water into the water table,
thus raising the water table.
If however water table is much lower,
seepage losses are only due to absorption.
Percolation losses are always much more
than the absorption losses.
 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses –Measurement of seepage losses

Seepage losses can be estimated by:

a) Seepage meters or Permeameters

b) Ponding method
c) Inflow-Outflow method

Fig: Losses in canals

 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses –Measurement of seepage losses

a) Seepage meters or Permeameters:

Seepage-meter consists of a metal
cylinder.
At the top it is dome shaped. A valve is
fixed on the dome to remove the
entrapped air.
A plastic bag is attached to the cylinder
by a tube.
For calculating seepage rate the plastic
bag is filled with water and the cylinder is
then pressed slowly into the soil.
Fig: Seepage meter
 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses –Measurement of seepage losses

a) Seepage meters or Permeameters:

The remaining space above the cylinder
is also filled with water.
The whole meter remains below the water
surface of the canal.
Seepage occurred in the cylinder causes
a corresponding reduction in the water
content of the plastic bag.
The rate of reduction of water content
gives the seepage rate.

Fig: Seepage meter

 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses –Measurement of seepage losses

a) Seepage meters or Permeameters:

The plastic bag helps in maintaining the
same hydrostatic pressure on the soil of
the cylinder as that surrounding the meter.
The area under test is very small.
This method only gives an indication of
the order of the seepage rate.
For collecting reliable information it is very
essential to obtain several readings on the
bed and sides of the canal.

Fig: Seepage meter

 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses –Measurement of seepage losses

b) Ponding method:
This method involves isolation of a section
of a canal by means of temporary cross
bunds.
The enclosed area is filled with water and
the decrease in the volume over a certain
period of time is noted.
It may then be used to calculate the rate
of loss.
Proper allowance is made for rainfall and
evaporation.
Fig: Ponding method
 Losses in canal
3. Seepage Losses –Measurement of seepage losses

c) Inflow-Outflow method:
This simple method consists of measuring the
quantity of water entering a certain reach and
the quantity of water going out of that reach.
The difference gives the amount of water lost.
The discharge can be measured by flumes,
weirs, current-metres or venturimetres.
It is necessary to maintain constant water
level. Fig: Inflow-Outflow
Allowance should be made for evaporation method
loss.
THANK YOU!!!