Irrigation structures

&Irrigation Implements

Reporter:
LEOPOLDO Y LUMACAD JR.
Irrigation structures

 They help regulate the flow and deliver the correct

amount of water to the different branches of the system
and onward to the irrigated fields. There are four main
types of structures:
 erosion control structures,
 distribution control structures,
 crossing structures and
 water measurement structures.
Erosion Control Structures
 Any structure, the purpose or effect of which is to control flooding or
erosion from tidal, coastal or navigable waters and includes
breakwaters, bulkheads, groins, jetties, revetments, riprap, seawalls
and the placement of concrete, rocks or other significant barriers to the
flow of flood waters or the movement of sediments along the irrigation.
Distribution Control Structures

 Distribution control structures are required for

easy and accurate water distribution within the
irrigation system and on the farm.
four types of distribution control structures
 A.) Division boxes
 B.) Turnouts
 C.) Checks
 D.) Drop structures and chutes
A.) Division boxes

 Division boxes are used to divide or direct the flow of water between two or
more canals or ditches. Water enters the box through an opening on one side
and flows out through openings on the other sides. These openings are
equipped with gates.
B.) Turnouts

 Turnouts are constructed in the bank of a canal. They divert part of

the water from the canal to a smaller one. Turnouts can be concrete
structures, or pipe structures.
C.) Checks

 To divert water from the field ditch to the field, it is often necessary
to raise the water level in the ditch. Checks are structures placed
across the ditch to block it temporarily and to raise the upstream
water level. Checks can be permanent structures or portable.
D.) Drop structures and chutes
 Drop structures or chutes are required to reduce the bottom slope of canals
lying on steeply sloping land in order to avoid high velocity of the flow and
risk of erosion. These structures permit the canal to be constructed as a
series of relatively flat sections, each at different elevation. Drop structures
take the water abruptly from a higher section of the canal to a lower one. In
a chute, the water does not drop freely but is carried through a steep, lined
canal section. Chutes are used where there are big differences in the
elevation of the canal.
Crossing Structures
 It is often necessary to carry irrigation water across roads, hillsides and
natural depressions

Crossing structures are:

 a. Flumes
 b. Culverts
 c. Inverted siphons.
a. Flumes
 Flumes are used to carry irrigation water across gullies, ravines or other
natural depressions. They are open channels made of wood (bamboo), metal
or concrete which often need to be supported by pillars.
b. Culverts
 Culverts are used to carry the water across roads. The structure consists of an
inlet and outlet connected by a buried pipeline.
c. Inverted siphons.
 When water has to be carried across a road which is at the same level as or
below the canal bottom, an inverted siphon is used instead of a culvert. The
structure consists of an inlet and outlet connected by a pipeline. Inverted
siphons are also used to carry water across wide depressions.
Water Measurement Structures.
 The most commonly used water measuring structures are weirs and flumes. In
these structures, the water depth is read on scale which is part of the
structure. Using this reading, the flow rate is then computed from standard
tables prepared specially for the structure. Depending on the flow condition
(free flow or submerged flow), the water depth readings are taken on one
scale only (the upstream one) or on both scales simultaneously.
Irrigation Implements
 It increases crop yield. It protects from famine. It helps to cultivate superior
crops with the water supply as per need of the crops. ... Irrigation water
improves water conditions in the soil, increases the water content of plant
fibers, dissolves nutrients & makes them available to plants.
Types of irrigation implements:
 A. Pumps
 B. Drip Irrigation Systems
 C. Water Flow Meters
 D. Soil Sensors
 E. Irrigation Management Mobile Apps
A. Pumps

 Pumps commonly used for irrigation fall into the following categories based
on the design of the pump. ... This spinning action moves the water through
the pump by means of centrifugal force.
Submersible Pumps: Submersible pumps are installed completely underwater,
including the motor
 B. Drip Irrigation Systems

 Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient methods for delivering water to crops with
minimal waste. Currently, it is used on less than 2 percent of irrigated land in the
world but it can reduce water use by 30 to 70 percent. Although it has a high initial
cost, there are a number of advantages including reduction of evaporation, reduction
of water consumed by weeds, and irrigation to an exact root depth of crops.
C. Water Flow Meters

 Water flow meters can accurately measure how much water is being used to
irrigate so that water use can be precisely managed and unnecessary watering
can be avoided. Using the flow rate from the flow meter, the volume of water
used to irrigate for a certain period of time can be calculated. Monitoring
flow rate can also help farmers discover problems with the irrigation system
such as costly leaks and is one of the easiest irrigation tools to implement.
D. Soil Sensors

 Measuring soil properties such as moisture can help farmers determine how
much water is necessary to keep crops adequately watered. Soil sensors can
help farmers understand the condition of roots to suggest when it is time to
irrigate or when the plant’s thirst is quenched to prevent wasting water,
washing nutrients down the soil, and developing a shallow root pattern.
E. Irrigation Management Mobile Apps

 Mobile apps that can assist farmers with irrigation management are
continuously improving. One example is FieldNET Mobile, which allows users
to control and monitor irrigation equipment from their iPhone or Android
device enabling farmers to quickly adjust their irrigation based on changing
conditions. Smart Irrigation Apps, developed by a University of Georgia
agricultural scientist, helps southeast farmers plan their irrigation based on
how much water their crops need and data from local weather stations.