IRRIGATION ENGINEERING AND

HYDRAULIC STRUCTURE

CIVIL ENGINEERING
 1. Define irrigation and what is the nassacty of irrigation in india.

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to soil or land to assist in the growth of crops. It
supplements rainfall and ensures that crops receive the necessary amount of water at the
right time.

Necessity of Irrigation in India:

I. and Irregular Rainfall: India depends heavily on the monsoon, which is seasonal and
unpredictable. Irrigation helps ensure crops grow even during droughts or delayed rains.
II. Support for Multiple Cropping: Irrigation enables farmers to grow more than one crop in
a year, increasing productivity.
III. Water Demand for High-Yield Crops: Modern, high-yielding crop varieties require more
water, which can’t be met by rainfall alone
IV. Regional Imbalances: Some regions in India, like Rajasthan or parts of Gujarat, are arid
or semi-arid and receive very little rainfall. Irrigation is essential there.
V. Improved Food Security: Reliable irrigation systems support stable agricultural
production, which is vital for feeding India’s large population.
VI. Agricultural Employment: A large part of India’s population depends on agriculture for
livelihood, and irrigation helps sustain year-round farming.

2. Lest the advantage and dis adventage of irrigation

Advantages of Irrigation:

Increases crop production – Water supply ensures healthy crop growth.

Allows multiple cropping – Farmers can grow more than one crop in a year.

Supports agriculture in dry areas – Helps farming in regions with little rainfall.

Improves food security – More food is produced to feed the population.

Reduces dependence on rainfall – Farming becomes less risky.

Promotes development – Boosts rural economy and employment

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 Disadvantages of Irrigation:

a. Waterlogging – Excessive irrigation can lead to poor soil aeration and plant damage.

b. Soil salinity – Over time, salts can build up in the soil and reduce fertility.

c. High cost – Setting up irrigation systems can be expensive.

d. Unequal water distribution – Some regions may get more water than others, leading
to conflicts.

e. Wastage of water – Improper use or poor maintenance can waste a lot of water.

f. Overuse of groundwater – Can lead to depletion of underground water levels.

3. Explain different types of irrigation

1.Surface Irrigation
Water is spread over the surface of the land by gravity.

a) Basin Irrigation: Water is applied in flat areas divided into basins.

b) Furrow Irrigation: Water flows in small channels (furrows) between crop rows.

c) Border Irrigation: Land is divided into strips and water flows between borders.

Used in: Traditional farming, rice, wheat, and other field crops.

2. Drip Irrigation

Water drips slowly near the root zone of plants through small pipes or emitters.

Advantages: Saves water, prevents weed growth, best for water-scarce areas.

Used in: Fruits, vegetables, and commercial crops like grapes, bananas, etc.

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  Sprinkler Irrigation

Water is sprayed into the air and falls like rain using pipes and sprinklers.

Advantages: Covers large areas, reduces soil erosion.

Used in: Lawns, tea gardens, and uneven lands.

 Subsurface Irrigation

Water is applied below the soil surface, directly to the roots through buried pipes.

Advantages: Minimizes evaporation, good for areas with high water scarcity.

Used in: High-value crops in dry regions.

 Canal Irrigation

Water from rivers or reservoirs is directed to fields through canals.

Used in: Large-scale irrigation in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

4. Discess varies wege in which irrigation water can be applied to the fields

Here’s a simple explanation of the various ways in which irrigation water can be applied to the
fields:

 Surface Irrigation

Water flows over the soil surface by gravity.

a) Basin Method: Water is applied to a flat area surrounded by small bunds. Common
for rice.
b) Furrow Method: Water flows in narrow channels between rows of crops. Used for
maize, sugarcane.
c) Border Strip Method: Land is divided into long strips with gentle slope, and water
flows along them.

 Drip Irrigation (Trickle Irrigation)

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Water drips slowly near the root zone of each plant through pipes or tubes.

Efficient and saves water

Ideal for vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers

 Sprinkler Irrigation

Water is sprayed through pipes and nozzles, like artificial rain.

Useful for uneven land and sandy soils

Common for lawns, tea gardens, and small farms

 Subsurface Irrigation

Water is delivered below the soil surface using underground pipelines.

Reduces evaporation and deep percolation

Suitable for high-value crops in dry areas

 Lift Irrigation

Water is lifted from rivers, wells, or ponds using pumps and then applied to fields.

Used where water is not at ground level

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 5. Explain bandhara irrigation
Bandhara Irrigation is a traditional and localized method of irrigation used mainly in parts of
Maharashtra and other western regions of India.

What is Bandhara Irrigation?

A bandhara is a small check dam built across a stream or river to store and raise the water
level. This stored water is then used to irrigate nearby fields.

How it Works:

Bandharas are usually made of stone, cement, or earth.

They block or slow down the flow of water in small rivers or streams.

The stored water either seeps into the soil to raise the groundwater table or is directly diverted into
channels to irrigate fields.

Advantages:

 Simple and low-cost to build.

 Recharges groundwater and improves well water levels.
 Useful for small-scale and local farming.
 Helps in water conservation in areas with irregular rainfall.

Limitations:

Suitable only for small streams or rivers.

Cannot store large amounts of water.

May need regular maintenance after floods

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 6. DEFINE BASIC PERED DUTY & DULTA OF A CROP & DERIVE REACTION
Base Period (B):
It is the total time (in days) between the first watering (sowing) and the last watering
(harvesting) of a crop.

Delta (Δ):

It is the total depth of water (in cm or meters) required by a crop during its entire base
period.

Duty (D):

Duty is the area of land (in hectares) that can be irrigated with 1 cubic metre per second
(cumec) of water throughout the base period.

Expressed as:
D = Area irrigated (in hectares) / Discharge (in cumec)

Relation between Duty, Delta and Base Period:

The relationship is given by the formula:

\Delta = \frac{8.64 \times B}{D}

Where:

Δ = Delta in cm

B = Base period in days

D = Duty in hectares per cumec

Derivation:

Let:

1 cumec = 1 cubic meter per second

Water supplied in B days = 1 × 86400 × B = 86400B m³

If this water irrigates D hectares, then water depth (delta) in meters is:
\Delta = \frac{86400B}{D \times 10^4}

(1 hectare = 10,000 m²), To convert Δ to cm, multiply by 100:

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 7. Least the factors on which duty depends

Here’s a list of factors on which Duty depends:

 Type of Crop:

Different crops require different amounts of water (e.g., rice needs more water than wheat).

 Climate and Weather:

In hot and dry climates, more water is lost through evaporation and transpiration, reducing duty.

 Soil Type:

Sandy soils need more water due to quick drainage (lower duty).

Clayey soils retain water better (higher duty).

 Method of Irrigation:

Efficient methods like drip or sprinkler irrigation reduce water loss, increasing duty.

 Topography of Land:

Flat land distributes water more efficiently, increasing duty. Hilly land may lead to water runoff.

 Canal Conditions:

If canals are unlined, water loss through seepage is high, reducing duty.

 Base Period of Crop:

Longer base periods require more water, which can reduce the duty.

 Water Management Practices:

Proper scheduling, maintenance, and rotation of water supply can improve duty.

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 8. Descess The duity of irrigation water & varies classes with the help of a canal system

What is Duty of Irrigation Water?

Duty is the area of land (in hectares) that can be irrigated with a constant supply of 1 cubic
metre per second (cumec) of water during the entire base period of a crop.

Classes of Duty in Canal System:

In a canal irrigation system, water flows through different levels of the canal network before
reaching the fields. The duty is calculated at different stages:

1. Reservoir or Head Works Duty (Gross Duty):

Definition: Area irrigated per cumec of water released at the reservoir or dam.

Includes: All losses (evaporation, seepage, etc.) in the canal system.

Lowest duty value due to maximum water loss.

2. Main Canal Duty:

Water reaching the main canal after some initial losses.

Duty increases slightly compared to reservoir duty.

3. Branch Canal Duty:

Water reaching the branch canals, further closer to the field.

Lesser losses than main canal; duty increases

4. Distributary Canal Duty:

Water in smaller distributary channels near farms.

Losses are minimal; duty is higher.

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Summary Table:

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 9. How the duty of water can we improved ? Discess
Duty of water can be improved by reducing wastage and increasing efficiency in how
irrigation water is used. Below are some ways to do that:

1. Lining of Canals:

Why: Unlined canals lose water through seepage.

How it helps: Lining canals with concrete or bricks reduces water loss and improves duty.

2. Proper Maintenance of Canals:

Why: Broken or poorly maintained canals cause leakage.

How it helps: Regular cleaning and repair prevent water loss.

3. Use of Efficient Irrigation Methods:

Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems apply water directly to roots.

These methods use less water, improving duty.

4. Leveling of Fields:

Uneven fields lead to water wastage.

Land leveling ensures uniform distribution of water, increasing water use efficiency.

5. Selection of Suitable Crops:

Grow crops suitable for the soil and climate of the region.

Low water-consuming crops can help improve duty.

10. Write a note on crop session & Indian agricultural

Crop Seasons in India:

India has three main crop seasons based on the climate and rainfall pattern:

1. Kharif Season:

Time: June to October (monsoon season)

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Sowing: Beginning of the monsoon (June-July)

Harvesting: End of monsoon (September-October)

Examples: Rice, maize, millet (jowar, bajra), cotton, groundnut, pulses

2. Rabi Season:

Time: October to March (winter season)

Sowing: After monsoon (October-November)

Harvesting: Spring (March-April)

Examples: Wheat, barley, mustard, peas, gram

3. Zaid Season:

Time: Between Rabi and Kharif (March to June)

Short-duration crops

Examples: Watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, vegetables, fodder crops

Indian Agriculture:

India is an agricultural country, with around 60% of the population depending on farming.It
contributes significantly to employment, food supply, and the economy.

Major crops grown include rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, and oilseeds.

Agriculture in India depends heavily on the monsoon, though irrigation systems are developing

The government supports agriculture through schemes, subsidies, minimum support prices (MSP),
and technology support.

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