OCEM __6th semester --2023 spring

Irrigation engineering
th
BCE/6 Semester
By:
Er. Sandesh Sigdel
M.Sc. in Construction Management
B.E. Civil
 Course Overview
Chapters hours Marks distribution
1. Introduction 2 5-8
2. Soil-Moisture and Crop relationship 4 8-12
3. Methods of Irrigation 3 7-8
4. Canal Design 8 20-25
5. Hydraulic structures in surface Gravity Irrigation System 13 25-30
6. Hill Irrigation 3 7-8
7. River Control and Drainage 4 8-13
8. Planning and Design of Groundwater Irrigation Scheme 6 12-15
9. Planning and Management of Irrigation System 2 5
Chapter-1 Introduction
 1. 1 Definition and Need of Irrigation
Definition
• Irrigation may be defined as the science of the artificial application of water to the land in order to fulfill the water
requirements of the crops throughout the crop period for the full nourishment of the crops. Nutrients to the crops may also be
applied through irrigation.
Necessity/need of irrigation:
1. Less Rainfall: When the total rainfall is less than needed for the crop, artificial input of water is necessary.
2. Non- uniform rainfall: The rainfall in a particular area may not be uniform over the crop period. During the early periods of
the crop, rains may be there, but no rain water may be available at the end, with the result that either the yield may be less, or the
crop may die. By collection of water during excess rainfall, Water may be supplied to the crop during the period when there may
be no rainfall.
3. Growing a number of crops during a year: The rainfall in an area may be sufficient to raise only one type of crops during the
rainy season (i.e. Kharif crops ), for which no irrigation may be required. However, with the provision of irrigation facilities in
that area, crops can be raised in other season also (i.e. rabi crops).
4. Growing perennial crop: Perennial crops, such as sugar cane etc, which need water throughout the year can be raised only
through the provision of irrigation facilities in the area.
5. Commercial crops with additional water: The rainfall in a particular area may be sufficient to raise usual crops, but more
water may be necessary for raising commercial and cash crops.
6. Controlled water supply: By the construction of proper distribution system, the yield of the crop may be increased because of
controlled supply of water
 1. 2 Classification of Irrigation System
Irrigation systems:
The various systems of irrigation have been developed depending on the nature of source of and location
of command are such as gravity irrigation, lift irrigation (which includes fitted from canals, wells, tube
wells etc.)
1. Gravity Irrigation
a. Perennial Irrigation
i. Direct irrigation
ii. Indirect/storage irrigation
iii. Combined direct and storage system
b. Non-Perennial Irrigation
Inundation/flood Irrigation
2. Lift Irrigation

1. Gravity Irrigation:
Gravity or flow irrigation is the type of irrigation in which water is available at a higher level as to enable
supply to the land by gravity flow. In flow irrigation water is supplied to the fields though the canals off
taking from head works. Gravity flow irrigation is cheaper compared to lift irrigation. The gravity
irrigation is further classified as under.
 a. Perennial Irrigation:
In this system assured supply of water throughout the crop period to irrigation requirement of
the crops is made available to the command area through storage of water done at the dam or
diversion of supply made by means of head works at the off take point of the canal. Perennial
irrigation may be either direct or indirect, as follows:
i. Direct irrigation:
In direct irrigation system water is directly diverted from the river into canal by construction of
diversion weir or barrage across the river without attempting to store water. This method is
practiced where the river has adequate perennial supply to feed the canal system at the times
of crops periods. (fig in next slide)
ii. Indirect irrigation:
It is also termed as storage irrigation. Here water is stored in reservoir during monsoon period
by construction of a dam across the river for supply into the off taking canals. Evidently indirect
irrigation is adopted where the river is non-perennial or flow in the river is inadequate during
lean period. Storage irrigation has greater irrigation potential than direct irrigation but is costly
due to the cost of construction of dam. (fig in next slide)
Direct irrigation
Indirect/Storage irrigation
 iii. Combined direct and storage system:
In this system of irrigation, storage reservoir is created by constructing dam. However, canals
do not take off from reservoir. Water is released from the reservoir into river downstream of
dam and released water is diverted into off taking canal from diversion headwork constructed
at suitable place downstream. This system is suitable in non-perennial river and where there is
no proper location for dam near command area. Dam is usually constructed in mountainous
area while pick-up weir is constructed in plain region.
b. Non-Perennial Irrigation:
Canal supply is generally made available in non-monsoon period from the storage in small
dams which inadequate to feed all the year round, and / or canal water is not required during
monsoon due adequate rainfall in the command area.
Inundation/flood Irrigation:
Inundation irrigation is done by a canal taking off from a river in flood without any diversion
work. It depends on the periodical rise in water level of the river and the supply is drawn
through open cuts in the river bank or creeks which are called heads. Owing to changes in the
river course the heads have often to be changed.
Combined Irrigation
2. Lift Irrigation:
In lift irrigation water is lifted from a river or a canal to the bank to irrigate the land which are
not commanded by gravity flow. Lift irrigation also includes tube well irrigation but the latter is
not feasible in areas where scarcity of water exists, climate is dry and groundwater is low. A lift
canal can cater for much larger areas than a tube well and is suitable when supplies either from
a river or a canal are available for lifting to higher elevation.
 1.3 Function, advantages and disadvantages of irrigation
# Functions of Irrigation water
1. It acts as a solvent for the nutrients. Water forms the solution of the nutrients, and this solution is absorbed
by the roots. Thus, water acts as the nutrient carrier.
2. The irrigation water supplies moisture which is essential for the life of bacteria and the chemical action
within the plant leading to its growth.
3. Some salts present in soil react to produce nourishing food products only in the presence of water.
5. Water cools the soil and the atmosphere, and thus makes more favorable environment for healthy plant
growth.
6. Irrigation water, with controlled supplies, washes out or dilutes salts in the soil
# Advantages of Irrigation
1. Increase in food production: Due to the controlled and timely supply of water to the crop, the yield is
increased. With the assured supply of water, superior crops take the place of inferior crops, and thus the
value of crops is increased.
2. Protection from famine: The construction of irrigation works helps during the famine and drought period
in two ways. During the construction of the irrigation works, employment is carried to the people and thus
they get relief against famine. After the construction of such works, continuous water supply is maintained
during drought.
3. Cultivation of cash crops: Irrigation makes it possible to grow cash crops such as sugarcane, indigo
plant, tobacco, cotton, etc.
4. Elimination of mixed cropping: If irrigation facilities are not available in an area, the farmers have a
tendency to adopt mixed cropping whereby they grow two or more crops together in the same field. The
advantage of mixed cropping is that if the weather conditions are not suitable for one of the crops, it
may be suitable for the others and thus the farmer may get at least some yield from the same field.
5. Addition to the wealth of the country: In addition to the water tax obtained from the farmers, the
bumper crops produced due to irrigation facilities makes country self - sufficient in food requirement,
and thus saves the foreign exchange.
6. Increase in Prosperity of people: Due to irrigation facility, the value of land is increased. Also due to
increase in the yield of the crop and due to the growing of cash crops, the farmers become prosperous,
and thereby their living standard is improved.
7. Generation of Hydro - Electric Power: Major river valley projects are usually planned to provided
hydro-electric power together with irrigation.
8. Domestic and Industrial Water Supply: The canals may also be utilised for domestic and industrial
water supply. Some of the irrigation reservoirs also supply water to nearby rural and urban areas.
9. Inland Navigation: Large canals can also be used for inland navigation, and thus transportation of
agricultural products to the mandis.
# Disadvantages of Irrigation
Excess irrigation and unscientific use of irrigation water may give rise to the
following ill – effects:
1. Breeding places for mosquitoes: Due to excess application of water, and due to
leakage of water, ponds and depressions get filled up with water and create
breeding places for mosquitoes. Also if the canal is leaky, mosquitoes breed all
along the canal and spread malarial conditions.
2. Water – logging: If the water table is near the ground surface, over irrigation
may raise the water table. This saturates the crop root – zone completely, causes
efflorescence and the whole area becomes waterlogged.
3. Damp Climate: The areas which are already damp and cold, become damper
and colder due to irrigation.
 1.5 Irrigation development in Nepal
• In the context of Nepal, concept and management of irrigation
development has started in the collective activism and participation of
local farmers than the state.
• State Government of India Beginning in 1922 (1979 B.S.), the
construction of Chandra Nahar Canal irrigation system started.
• Chandra Nahar Canal irrigation system completed in 1928 (1985 B.S.)
is the first modern irrigation system built from the state.
• It is originated from the Triyuga river at Fattepur. The canal was
constructed by the first engineer of Nepal, Dilli Jung Thapa
• Apart from this, in 1950 (2007 B.S.), before democracy, the Jamshed
Canal (Manushmaara) in Saralahi district, Jagdishpur
dam in Kapilavastu and Pargi dam in Pokhara were started.
 1.5 Irrigation development in Nepal contd…
• Out of total 14.718-million-hectare area of the country only 2.64 Million hectare area is Cuticle
i.e., able to grow crops and 1.766 million hectare is only irrigable. 76% of potential irrigable
area lies in the terai region of Nepal.
• Present national pride projects are:
1. Sikta irrigation Project by constructing barrage in Rapti river Banke district to irrigate
42766 ha land.
2. Ranijamra - Kulariya Irrigation project for 39300 ha land in kailali district.
3. Babai Irrigation Project for 36000 ha land in Bardiya.
4. Bheri - Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project for additional 51000 ha land in Banke and
Bardiya.
• Some irrigation projects in operation:
Morang - Sunsari Irrigation project - 68,000 ha land
Bagmati Irrigation Project (With Sunkoshi - marine deversion) - 122,000 ha land of sarlahi,
Rautahat, Bara, Dhannsha, Mohottari and 28.62 MW electricity.
Mahakali Irrigation Project - 33,520 ha in kailali and Kanchanpur.
Palungtar - Kundutar Irrigation Project - 2,000 ha (Construction and development phase.)
 1.5 Irrigation development in Nepal contd…
• Area covered by different irrigation methods are (Source: 2075/76 annual report DWRI)
Surface irrigation - 848833 ha (57.23%)
Underground irrigation - 485637 ha (32.75%)
Farmer managed water course - 148680 ha (10.02%)
Total irrigated area - 1433287 ha
One third of the total irrigated land is getting water round the year.
• Basin Transfer Projects
Inter - basin transfer of Trans - basin diversion are the terms used to describe man - made
conveyance schemes which move water from one river basin where it is available, to another
basin where water is less available
Some proposed inter - basin diversion projects in Nepal are:
Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose: first of its kind of inter-basin water transfer project in
Surkhet.
Sankoshi Marine Diversion Multipurpose: second inter-basin infrastructure project to make
use of a tunnel boring machine after the Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project
Sunkoshi Kamala Diversion Multipurpose (Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha & Saptari)
Kaligandaki Tinau Diversion