Analysis of seepage loss from concrete lined irrigation canals in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

A significant amount of water is lost in canals due to seepage. This could be saved to irrigate barren land. This article presents the measured seepage data by the inflow-outflow method on seven so-called concrete-lined distributary canals in Punjab, Pakistan. A special feature of the inflow-outflow method is the relatively long lengths of the canal reaches (9 to 5 km), which is the longest one could find in the literature so far. The seepage in canals is also calculated using five empirical formulae. The results show that the Swamee and the Punmia formulae performed admirably with mean percent errors of −20% and + 19% respectively. Moritz formula stood at +53% while Kostiakov scored +158%. The research also proposed a slight modification in the Swamee formula whereby, instead of the canal width, the surface water width was used in the calculation of the dimensionless variable F. This led to a beneficial effect of bringing down the percent mean error from −42% to −20%. K E Y W O R D S empirical formulae for seepage estimation, inflow-outflow method, lined distributary canals, seepage estimation, seepage loss RĖSUMĖ Une quantité importante d'eau est perdue dans les canaux en raison de l'infiltration. Cela pourrait être économisé pour irriguer les terres stériles. Cet article présente les données d'infiltration mesurées par la méthode entrées/sorties sur sept canaux de distribution dits en béton au Punjab, au Pakistan. Une particularité de la méthode entrées/sorties est la longueur relativement longue des tronçons du canal (9 à 5 km), qui est la plus longue que l'on puisse trouver jusqu'à présent dans la littérature. L'infiltration dans les canaux est également calculée à l'aide de cinq formules empiriques. Les résultats montrent que les formules de Swamee et de Punmia se sont admirablement comportées avec des pourcentages d'erreur moyens de −20% et + 19% respectivement. La formule de Moritz s'établit à + 53% tandis que Kostiakov marque +158%. La recherche a également proposé une légère modification de la formule de Swamee selon laquelle, au lieu de la largeur du canal, la largeur de l'eau de surface a été utilisée dans le calcul de la variable sans dimension F. Cela a * Analyse de la perte par infiltration des canaux d'irrigation revêtus de béton au Punjab, au Pakistan

Drought, Farm Output and Heterogeneity: Evidence from Pakistan

“…There are several issues in the canal irrigation system. The primary ones include lack of adequate water storage facilities and seepage from poorly lined and unlined canals (Saeed & Khan, 2014; Shah et al, 2020; Qureshi, 2011). Water theft both through diversions and warashikni (water theft by taking water out of turn) along the watercourse remain rampant despite daily records of water discharge along each channel and the prospect of imprisonment under the Canal and Drainage Act (Fatima et al, 2016; Mustafa, 2001; Shah & Shahid, 2019).…”

Spatial and Temporal Effects of Irrigation Canals Rehabilitation on the Land and Crop Yields, a Case Study: The Nile Delta, Egypt

“…The water lost through only seepage reaches about 15.95 million m 3 monthly, representing 99% of all lost irrigation water. Shah et al [16] used the inflow-outflow method for seven concretelined distributary canals in Punjab, Pakistan, then compared his results with results from five empirical formulae. The comparison showed that the mean percent errors ranged from −20% to +19%.…”

Determination of canal seepage loss in Arrah Main Canal: A case study*

“…Seepage losses can be estimated either by direct measurement or by empirical equations. A number of studies, experimental as well as theoretical, have been conducted in the past to estimate seepage losses from irrigation canals (Subramanya, Madhav, & Mishra, 1973; Pontin, Abed, & Weller, 1979; Sharma & Chawla, 1979; Deacon, 1983; Akkuzu, Unal, & Karatas, 2007; Chahar, 2007; Sarki, Memon, & Leghari, 2008; Arshad et al ., 2009; Akkuzu, 2012; Soothar et al ., 2015; Jamel, 2016; Mohsen & Mohammed, 2016; Patel, Sneha, & Upadhyay, 2016; Zhang et al ., 2016; Shah et al ., 2020). The inflow–outflow method is commonly used (an experimental method) for direct determination of seepage loss in the canal.…”

“…Shah et al . (2020) measured seepage losses using the inflow–outflow method in seven concrete‐lined canals in Punjab, Pakistan, and the measured seepage losses were compared with five empirical formulae, namely Davis–Wilson, Kostiakov, Moritz, Punmia, and Swamee. Further, the Swamee formula was modified using surface water width instead of canal width to calculate the dimensionless variable F , which resulted in reducing the mean percent error from −42% to 20%.…”

“…According to the authors, the new concrete and geomembrane lining reduced seepage by 86% as compared with no lining and concluded that seepage was underestimated by 58%, whereas water use efficiency was overestimated by 58%. Shah et al (2020) measured seepage losses using the inflow-outflow method in seven concrete-lined canals in Punjab, Pakistan, and the measured seepage losses were compared with five empirical formulae, namely Davis-Wilson, Kostiakov, Moritz, Punmia, and Swamee. Further, the Swamee formula was modified using surface water width instead of canal width to calculate the dimensionless variable F, which resulted in reducing the mean percent error from À42% to 20%.…”