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Lining old irrigation canals: thoughts and trials 1
Author(s) -
Snell Michael
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
irrigation and drainage
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1531-0361
pISSN - 1531-0353
DOI - 10.1002/ird.13
Subject(s) - geomembrane , precast concrete , civil engineering , engineering , irrigation , geotechnical engineering , forensic engineering , environmental science , ecology , biology
Many irrigation systems contain unlined canals which are losing water by seepage, resulting not only in reduced water for crops but also in waterlogging near the canals. In many cases, scheme operators wish to give these old canals waterproof linings. This paper discusses ideas for lining such existing canals, and some field trials that were conducted on mature sand‐bed canals in Pakistan between 1994 and 1999. It describes 9 basic lining types and some of the 20 variants that were tested, and assesses their merits in terms of ease of construction, watertightness, durability and cost. It also assesses further ideas that were developed but not tested. No single lining type could be recommended for all conditions. The use of geomembranes was found to be usually justified, and various ways of protecting them from people, traffic and animals were tested. Ways of avoiding the need for temporary diversions by lining a canal quickly, including the use of precast concrete, were included. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.