CENGR 4150 - Irrigation Engineering

Study Notes

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to enhance agricultural production by supplementing natural moisture in the root zone.
Drainage complements irrigation by removing excess water, maintaining optimal soil water content.
Effective water management integrates all activities aimed at maximizing water use while minimizing potential damage.

Provides essential moisture for seed germination and chemical processes vital for plant growth.
Cool the soil, creating a favorable environment for plant growth.
Facilitates the washing away of salts and softens clods, aiding tillage operations.
Reduces adverse effects of frost and bolsters crop resilience against short-term droughts.

Increases food production and achieves self-sufficiency in agricultural output.
Enables optimal water use, maximizing crop yield while using necessary amounts of water.
Eliminates the practice of mixed cropping, promoting single crop cultivation for efficiency.
Enhances overall prosperity through higher revenues and enhanced community development.
Generates hydroelectric power via irrigation projects, providing cheaper energy sources.
Improves domestic water supply in nearby villages with scarce resources.
Provides facilities for communication and transportation via embankments and inspection roads.
Supports inland navigation through larger irrigation canals.
Promotes afforestation along irrigation channels, increasing timber resources and reducing soil erosion.

Can contribute to water pollution and alter local climate conditions, leading to cooler, damper environments.
Over-irrigation risks water-logging, complicating water procurement and supply.

Surface water irrigation: utilizes diversion and storage methods primarily from rivers.
Groundwater irrigation: involves using wells (open, deep, shallow) to extract water from subsurface aquifers.
Choice of irrigation scheme depends on topography, available sources, rainfall characteristics, and subsoil profile.

Surface Water Resources: Include flowing water (rivers, streams) and stored water (ponds, lakes, reservoirs).
- Rivers: Major sources of surface water, flowing towards oceans, seas, lakes.
- Reservoirs: Created by controlling rivers; store water for irrigation needs.
- Canal Irrigation: Diverts river water through canals for agricultural use.
- Lakes: Large inland water bodies serving as sources of irrigation.
Horizontal Wells: Used to tap into trapped water supplies by drilling into hillsides.

Harmonizes the use of multiple water sources (surface and groundwater) to optimize supply and minimize negative impacts.
- Examples of conjunctive use include combining surface water with groundwater, or managing rainfall alongside irrigation efforts.