CE 4003

IRRIGATION ENGINEERING
Agricultural Production
• The basic requirement of agricultural production are soil, seed (plant),
and water.
• In addition, fertilizers, insecticides, sunshine, atmospheric
temperature, and human labour are also needed.
• All of these, water appears to be the most important requirement of
agricultural production.
• The application of water to soil is essential for plant growth.
Why Plants Need Water ?

• Plants need large quantities of water for growth. The most important factor
driving water movement in plants is a process known as transpiration.
• Transpiration is the loss of water from plants in the form of vapour (evaporation).
• Plants utilize most of the water absorbed from the soil for transpiration (95%),
but a small portion of the water absorbed is used during photosynthesis for
producing the carbohydrates necessary for plant growth (5%).
• The rate of transpiration is dependent on water availability within the plant (and
soil) and on sufficient energy to vaporize water.
• Most energy supporting transpiration is derived directly from the sun (solar
radiation). Sunny, hot weather increases the rate of transpiration and thus the
risk for wilting if adequate water is not available.
Why Plants Need Water ?

• Water typically makes up 80 – 95% of the mass of growing plant

tissues.
• Mature woody plant tissue water content ranges from 45 – 50%
while herbaceous plant water content ranges from 70 – 95%.
• Plants have cell walls that allow the build up of turgor pressure
within each cell. Turgor pressure contributes to rigidity and
mechanical stability of non-woody plant tissue and is essential for
many physiological processes including cell enlargement (plant
growth), gas exchange in the leaves, transport of water and sugars,
and many other processes.
Need for Irrigation
• In many parts of the world, the moisture available in the root-zone of
the soil, either by rain or from underground waters, may not be
sufficient for the requirement of the plant life.
• This deficiency may be either from entire crop season or only part of
the season.
• As such for optimum plant growth, it becomes necessary to make up
the deficiency by adding water to the root-zone soil.
• This artificial application of water to land for supplementing the
naturally available moisture in the root zone soil for the purpose of
agricultural production is termed as Irrigation
• Irrigation maintains moisture in the soil. Moisture is necessary for the
germination of seeds. Seeds do not grow in dry soil. That is why
irrigation is done before tilling.
• Irrigation is essential for the growth of the roots of the crop plants.
Roots of the plants do not grow well in dry soil.
• Irrigation is necessary for the absorption of mineral nutrients by the
plants from the soil. Thus, irrigation is essential for the general growth
of the plants.
• Water supplies two essential elements hydrogen and oxygen to the
crop.
Irrigation in Sri Lanka
Irrigation in Sri Lanka
Irrigation systems in Sri Lanka can be broadly classified under three
categories namely;
• Gravity systems : Reservoir (Tank) / Anicut (Diversion)
• Drainage & Salt Water Extrusion systems
• Lift Irrigation systems
These systems are further classified as Major, Medium and Minor
Irrigation systems.
• Major systems irrigate more than 2000 acs (400 ha)

• Medium systems irrigate 200 acs to 2000 acs (40 ha to

400 ha)

• irrigation systems having less than 200 acs ( 40 ha)

classified as Minor irrigation systems
Table 1: Irrigation Systems maintained by Irrigation Department of
Sri Lanka

Type Number of Systems Total Area (ha)

Gravity Systems 331 230462

Drainage & SWE 62 35228

Lift Irrigation 06 1923

Table 2: Irrigation Systems maintained by Mahaweli Authority of Sri
Lanka
Type Name of Systems Total Area (ha)

Gravity Systems H 25240

G 3327
B 47414
Walawe 55320
C 22243
• Minor Irrigation systems (Number of Operating tanks about 7600) are
maintained by Provincial Councils and Agrarian Services &
Development Department of Sri Lanka.
Major components of an Irrigation System
Basically components of an irrigation system can be classified as;

• Head works

• Channel System

• Farm Layout
Head Works
Sub Component Main Function

Embankment (Bund / Dam) Storing water / Diverting water

Anicut (Barrage/ Diversion Weir)

Sluice Control & Issue of water

Spillway Safe discharge of flood water

Head Works ( Reservoir / Diversion)
Reservoir Type –
Galoya Senanayaka Samudra
Diversion Type –
Polgolla Barrage Upstream
Diversion Type –
Polgolla Barrage Downstream
Rock fill Dams-Randenigala, Samanalawewa
Concrete Dams – Victoria
Earthen Dam - Galoya
Earth Dam Section
Concrete Dam Section
Sluice & Spillway
Sluice Tower & Barrel
Radial Gated Spillway
 Channel System
Sub Component Main Function

Main / Branch Channel Conveyance, Regulation

(Primary)
Distributary channel Distribution (Delivery)
(Secondary)
Field Channel Application
( Tertiary)
Drainage Channels Removal
Canal Layout
Farm Layout
Sub Component Main Function

Farm ditches Water Application

Farm Storage

Farm bunds Retained and release excess

water
 Farm level Irrigation
Types of irrigation water application systems at Farm level
can be broadly classified as,
• Surface
• Localized – Drip, Sprinkler
Surface irrigation has evolved into an extensive array of
configurations which can be further classified as:
• Basin Irrigation
• Border Irrigation
• Furrow Irrigation
 Basin Irrigation

The field to be irrigated by the basin method is divided into level

rectangular areas bounded by dikes or ridges. Water is turned in at one or
more points until the desired gross volume has been applied to the area.
Level Basin Irrigation
Boarder Irrigation
The field to be boarder irrigated is divided into graded strips by
constructing parallel dikes or boarder ridges. Water is turned in at the
upper end and flows as a sheet down the strip.
Border Irrigation
Furrow Irrigation
Farm level Irrigation application systems

Drip Irrigation – Sprinkler Irrigation

Water Source Type of Irrigation Head Work Delivery System Application system

Perennial Rivers / Oya / Streams Diversion Structure ( Barrage / Channel System Border / Furrow
Diversion weir / Anicut) (Main/Branch/Distributary/Field)
Regulation Reservoirs

Non-Perennial Rivers/Oya/Streams Reservoirs / Tanks Channel System Border / Furrow

(Main/Branch/Distributary/Field)

Ground Water Tube Wells / Bore Holes Pumps/channels/pipes Pipes/Sprinkler/Drip