CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
Important definitions:
Main Canal:The principal channel of a canal system off-taking from a river or reservoir is called
the main canal.
Distributary:Channel taking off from a main canal or branch canal with head discharge of more
than one cumec is called a distributary.
Minor:Channel taking off from the main canal or distributary with head discharge of less
than one cumec is called a minor.
Sub Minor:Channel taking off from a minor is called a sub-minor.
Water Course:Water course is a channel taking off from a branch canal, distibutary,a minor or sub
minor which conveys water to the Government outlet serving 5 to 8ha.sub chaks.
Field Channel:Field Channel is a channel taking off from the Government outlet and connecting the farm
gate.
Farm Channel:Farm channel is a channel to carry water from the farm gate to the field.
Gross Command Area (G.C.A):It is the total area which can be physically irrigated from a scheme without
considering the limitations of the quantity of water available.
Cultural Command Area (C.C.A):It is the gross area, less the area of unculturable land including habitation area,
ponds & land otherwise unfit for cultivation included in the gross area.

Intensity of Irrigation:The sum of the area irrigated under different crops in a year expressed as a
percentage of the C.C.A is called the intensity of irrigation.
Net Irrigated Area:This is the area irrigated during a year counting the area only once even if two or
more crops are irrigated on the same land.
Gross Irrigated Area/Irrigation Potential:This is the total irrigated area under various crops during a year, counting the area
irrigated under more than one crop during the same year as many times as the number of
crops grown.
Intensity of Irrigated Cropping:The ration of the difference of the gross irrigated area and net irrigated area to the
net irrigated area expressed as a percentage is called the intensity of irrigated cropping.
Proceedure for Fixation of alignment:(A)

IF THE CANAL FOLLOWS CONTOURS(1)

Mark tentative alignment of main canal on top sheet (1:50,000) by observing

contours and trend of ground slopes.

(2)

Fix bench marks about 120m. apart on tree routes by double fly leveling as
given in Chapter II, in the vicinity of tentative alignment as marked on
toposheet.

(3)

Draw a base line through the tentative line and also draw cross-sections at
every chain in hilly tarrain & at every 90m. in plain area.

Length of cross-

section shall depend upon the topography. In hilly areas at least 5m. above &
5m. below levels, with reference to the centre line should be available. In plain
areas cross section may extend to 150m. on either side.
(4)

Plot these levels in 1 cm=10m. scale & also transfer these levels on village
maps. If number of villages are involved, maintain the continuity by joining
adjacent sheets.

(5)

Balancing depth contour:

For a given canal section, the depth of cutting for which area cutting is equal

to area of filling is called balancing depth.

Example: Refer the canal section as given below:-

Figure 1.1
Area of cutting

(2+1.5 x h) h

---------------(I)

Area of Filling

(1.2+2x0.6) 0.6 x 2 ---------------(II)

For balancing depth,

Area of cutting = Area of filling
Therefore, (2+1.5 x h) h = (1.2+2 x 0.6) 0.6 x 2

or

or

2h +1.5h2 = 1.44 + 1.44

or

1.5h2 +2h 2.88 = 0

=
=

0.87m

The depth h as worked out may be checked by putting value of h in equation I & II
Area of cutting = (2+1.5x0.87)0.87
= 2.88 Sq.m
Area of filling

= (1.2+2 x 0.6) 0.6 x 2

= 2.88 Sq.m

As area of cutting is equal to area of filling hence balancing depth as calculated is

correct. Therefore balancing depth is 0.87 m.

Prepare a table as shown below:Table 1.1

S.No.

Ch

Bed Level

0
5
10
15
20
25
30

1:300

389.19
388.69
388.19
387.69
387.19
386.69
386.19

Balancing
depth
0.87 m

Balancing depth
contour level
390.06
389.56
389.06
388.56
388.06
387.56
387.06

Locate these levels on corresponding chainages & draw a free line passing through
these points. The contour so drawn is called balancing depth contour. It provides the most
economical canal section as quantity obtained from excavation is completely utilized in Bank
construction. But the B.D Contour cannot be followed exactly as it may involve number of
curves & meandering of the alignment.

Figure 1.2
The alignment should be so chosen that (i) minimum curves are involved (ii) B.D
contour is followed as far as possible. (canals directly irrigating the fields are not governed

by Balancing depth criteria.

In such cases the F.S.L should be atleast 15 cm above the

highest commanding field.)

Mark this alignment on field and take levels at every chain and cross section at every
2 or 3 chains according to topography and plot L section of centre line & observe patches
of deep cutting or heavy filling. If possible, detour the alignment to avoid such patches.
(B)

IF THE CANAL FOLLOWS RIDGEGenerally the canals at their off takes from the reservoir/weirs are contour canals,

which after covering some distance attain the ridge.

Contour canals have some

disadvantages such as:(1) Number of structures involved are more as compared to ridge canal.
(2) Due to one side irrigation, the cost/ba is much as compared to ridge canal.
(3) Quantity of earth work is more as number of curves, filling zones, undulations are
encountered.
To align the canal on ridge is always preferred as(1) It provides irrigation on both sides.
(2) Number of drainage crossing are minimum.
(3) Steeper bed slopes are generally available thus smaller canal section carries
more discharge.

How to locate the ridgeFor big canals, ridge may be located on toposheets, where as for small canals, this
may be done by field observation or by grid survey. Location of ridge is illustrated in the
figure 1.3.
The alignment is marked on ridge & levels are taken at every chain & cross-section
at every 2 or 3 chains according to topography and L section is plotted. Number of curves
& zig- zag alignments should be avoided.
DETAILS IN L SECTION L section of the canal shall have following information[1] DATUM [2] FILLING in meters [3] Cutting in meters [4] Bed level [5] Ground
level [6] CHAINAGE [7] Full supply depth in metres [8] Bed width in metres [9] Side slope
[10] Bed slope [11] Top width of left bank [12] Top width of right bank [13] Value of
Mannings N [14] Designed discharge [15] Nature of soil [16] Balancing depth [17] Velocity
[18] Critical velocity ratio (only for canals off-taking from Barrages or pick up weirs)
[19] H.F.L of nallas/rivers for proposed aqueducts should be shown in the L section.
[20] Trial pits in cutting reaches upto the depth of cutting should be shown. In the reaches
where open pit excavation is not possible due to deep cutting, strata should be ascertained
by bore holes.
PLAN OF ALIGNMENTFollowing points should be kept in mind for plotting
(1)

It should be drawn on 1 cm 30 cm.scale.

(2)

Contours should be drawn at 0.5 m. interval.

(3)

Permanent points like Roads, wells, culverts, Power Line, existing canal, foot
path drainages, Bench marks with values, H.F.L. of prominent rivers, village
boundaries, Nistari tanks, actual command line should be marked on plan.

(4)

If the canal is running very close to a river, H.F.L contour of the river should
marked on the plan of alignment.

(5)

be

Details to be given
Table No.1 table giving Bearings at Tangent points, included angle, length etc. be
given.
Table No.2 will show details of curves like S.No. From-To Radius of curve, Tangent
length, curve length, R.D of tangent (T1 & T2)
Table No.3 will give details of structures like V.R.B., D.R.B., Syphon, Aqueduct, Head
Regulator etc. Nos. of these structures shall be divided as No. in this sheet,
Total upto previous sheet, Total structures upto this sheet.
Table No.4 reference to level book is given (S.No., Description, Pages-From-To,
Remarks.)
Table No.5 will show canal Data like Bed width, F.S.D, Free Board, Bed Grade, side
slope, Top width of Banks, Designed discharge, Balancing depth,
value of N.
Table No.6 shall give details of Bench Marks having columns- S.No., Description,
Permanent or Temporary & remarks.
Table No.7 will show index to trial pits etc.
CertificatesCanal L section should have the following certificates(1)

Certified that the strata shown in the trial pits are correct (By S.D.O & Sub
Engineer)

(2)

Certified that there are no religious places like Tombs, Grave-yards etc.
along the canal alignment (By S.D.O & Sub Engineer)

(3)

Certified that I have walked over the alignment & found it most economical &
suitable & recommend for approval (By E.E., S.E or C.E as the case may be).

(4)

Certified that the survey was conducted by me/us using field book/level books
bearing numbers issued by . Sub Division. The Bench Marks
are shown plotted in red ink and indentifiable with the description shown. The
levels are related to Nearest G.T.S. Bench Mark whose description is
(by Sub Engineer)