2. Canal Losses & Estimation of Design Discharge

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the largest contributor to canal losses?

   Hint

   Think about where water is lost first in the canal.

2. 2.

   List two methods of estimating canal losses.

   Hint

   Recall the techniques we discussed in class.

3. 3.

   What is the primary cause of canal losses?

   • Evaporation
   • Seepage
   • Transpiration

   Hint

   Consider which loss occurs first in a canal.

4. 4.

   True or False: Transpiration is the major loss type in canals.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the largest single factor affecting canal efficiency.

5. 5.

   In designing a new irrigation canal, you expect a seepage loss of 2 mm/day. If the command area is 200 hectares and the crop water requirement is 6 mm/day, calculate the total design discharge.

   Hint

   Use the formula we talked about for the calculation.

6. 6.

   A researcher is studying the efficiency of various canal designs. She conducts a ponding test and finds that the loss is very high. What could be potential causes for this, and what methods could she apply to improve the design?

   Hint

   Think about design principles we discussed in class.