OPTIMAL ROUTE ALIGNMENT OF AN IRRIGATION CANAL

Abstract

A canal has to be aligned in such a way that it covers the entire area proposed to be irrigated, with shortest possible length and at the same time its cost including the cost of cross drainage works is a minimum. A shorter length of canal ensures less loss of head due to friction and smaller loss of discharge due to seepage and evaporation, so that additional areas can be brought under cultivation. 1.2.1 General Consideration for alignment (a) The alignment of the canal should be such as to ensure (i) the most economical way of distributing water to the land; (ii) a large command area; (iii)minimum number of Cross Drainage Works; (b) The alignment of a canal on a.. watershed is preferred. (c) The alignment should pass through the balanced depth of cutting. If not, it should involve minimum depth of cutting or minimum height of filling. (d) The alignment should not be made in a rocky brakish or cracked strata.