WATERCOURSE DESIGN

 What is designing
 Objectives of watercourse designing
 Causes of water loss in watercourse
 Benefits of watercourse improvement
 Quality of designing
Introduction
Pakistan is blessed with various natural resources including land and water. Water is a
scarce resource which is the life blood of our agriculture. The water resources of Pakistan have
been estimated up to 142 MAF. Only 42 MAF is available for agricultural production. A huge
amount of water is lost in our deteriorated irrigation system, causing water-logging and salinity
problems in our agricultural land.
Irrigation system of Pakistan consists of barrages, headworks, main canals, branch canals,
distributaries, minors and watercourses. Approximately 37 MAF water is lost in watercourses
only. Keeping in view the huge water losses, the government launched a On farm water
management project in 1977. Later on various OFWM projects were implemented with the help
of different donor agencies. The targets set forth for these projects were successfully achieved
and about 23,000 watercourses out of 58,000 watercourses have been renovated in Punjab so far.
Various studies have been conducted for impacted evaluation of OFWM activities including
watercourse improvement. The result of these studies was so encouraging that it paved the way
for improvement of all watercourses throughout the country.
Now the Government of Pakistan has approved nationwide project captioned as “National
Program for Improvement of Watercourses in Pakistan”. It is anticipated that 28,000
watercourses will be improved under said program during a period of four years.
Watercourse Design Objectives
Purpose of watercourse is to convey water from the canal outlet to the farm. The watercourse
design objectives include:-
- To achieve maximum conveyance efficiency.
- To prevent siltation.
- To prevent erosion.
 - To attain the full supply level in watercourse high enough to provide a proper working
head to the command area.
- To avoid submergence of mogha or canal outlet.

Causes of water losses in watercourse

A significant percentage of irrigation water loss occurs from the tertiary system comprising
roughly constructed and poorly maintained community watercourses. The main components of
these losses are seepage, spillage and side leakage from the watercourses as a result of:
- Irregular profile and zig zag alignment of banks, with many points of weakness;
- variable cross section of watercourse;
- siltation, causing restrictions in flow and overtopping;
- trees, shrubs and vegetation growing in watercourses;
- damage by rodents and farm animals and
- deliberate damage for the abstraction of water.
Project activities
- Motivation of farmers
- Organization and registration of Water Users Association (WUA) under OFWM &
WUAs Ordinance [Act] – 1981
- Engineering survey of the watercourse
- Preparation of design and cost estimate with the involvement of beneficiary farmers
- Ensure the collection of farmers share
- Dismantling of existing watercourse and uprooting of trees from its right of way
- Reconstruction of watercourse according to engineering design
- Installation of water control structures i.e. pacca nakkas, drop structures on appropriate
places
- Construction of culverts at road crossings
- Partial brick lining of the critical reaches of watercourse like elevated sections, length
passing through populated area and high seepage portions
- Post improvement maintenance of watercourses by the farmers.

Estimated benefits with the improvement of watercourse

Evaluation studies regarding impact assessment of different OFWM projects have been carried
out by various agencies. The findings of these studies indicate significant benefits, accruing from
the renovation of watercourses as given below;
- Annual saving per watercourse 243 acre-ft
- Increase in water delivery efficiency 38.50 %
- Water saving to irrigate an acre 28.40 %
(%age reduction in losses)
- Increase in cropped area 13.40 %
- Increase in cropping intensity 14.80 %
- Increase in crop yields 17.00 %
- Salinity control 4.90 %
 (%age increase in salinity free area)
- Reduction in cultivable waste area 17.00 %
Basic statistics of watercourses in Punjab
Total watercourses in Punjab = 58,000 nos
No. of watercourses already improved
under different OFWM projects = 23,000 nos (39%)
No. of watercourses still to be improved = 35,000 nos (61%)
Breakup of watercourses still to be improved
i) Under National Program = 28,000
ii) Under District Government = 5,000
iii) Under PRSP = 2,000

Terminology used in watercourse designing

TERMINOLOGIES

Outlet / Mogha The hydraulic structure through which irrigation water is

discharged into watercourse.

Non modular outlet An outlet in which discharge depends upon the hydraulic head
difference between FSL canal and FSL watercourse. E.g.
scratchly outlet, pipe outlet, in submerged condition

Semi modular outlet An outlet in which the discharge depends upon water level in
canal only, and is independent of water level in watercourse.
E.g. open flume, adjustable orifice outlets.

Modular outlets An outlet in which the discharge is independent of water level

in canal and watercourse.

Crest of mogha The bed or sill of mogha at constricted section

LRTB The elevation of lower side of roof block fixed in AOSM outlet

Width of throat Width of constriction section of outlet

Discharge Volume of water flow per unit of time. Also known as flow rate

Watercourse Channel which conveys water from canal to the field for
irrigation purpose
FSL FSL (Full Supply Level) represents water surface elevation

Slope The difference in elevation per unit length (drop per unit length)

Side slope It is the slope of inclined surface of trapezoidal channel and is

expressed as ratio of horizontal to vertical. (Z:1)

Head loss Decrease in FSL due to slope

Flow depth Difference between water surface level and bed level of a
channel

Freeboard The height of berm above the maximum designed water surface

Turnout Control structure that diverts water from watercourse to the

field

Check Structure Structure that heads up the FSL up to elevation needed for the
turnout

Drop Structure used to drop water at lower level and dissipate its
excess energy.

Syphon Structure that carries the discharge of one channel beneath the
bed of another channel

Berm Bank of the channel

Velocity Distance covered in unit time

Wetted perimeter (P) Cross sectional length in contact with water

Hydraulic radius R Ratio of flow area (A) to wetted perimeter (P) R=A/P It
expresses the shape of the channel.

Roughness coefficient The resistance or friction between water and channel. Also
known as Manning’s ‘n’

Hydraulics Term denoting flow and characteristics of a liquid

Nomograph Sloution to Manning’s equation in graphical form

Conveyance / Ratio of the water delivered from the canal to water delivered to
delivery efficiency the farm
Right of Way The space fixed by the Government for a community
watercourse along its sanctioned route.

Basic Hydraulics
Data required for watercourse design
Basic Hydraulics.
Watercourse or channel cross-section Nomenclature.

Before starting with designs, it is necessary to define the nomenclature of watercourse elements
and dimensions.
A. Trapezoidal Channel

b = Bottom width
d = Flow depth
B = Width at water surface = b + (2 x z x d)
D = Total depth of watercourse = d + FB
FB = Free board
BW = Bank width
Z = Side slope, the slope of the sides as the ratio of horizontal to vertical,
shown as Z:l. (such as 1:1. 1.5:1, 2:1,etc.)
FSL = Full supply level (design water surface)
TW = Top width of the ditch = b + (2 x Z x D)
B. Rectangular Channel

Hydraulic formulas:
The basic hydraulic formula for channel capacity is: Q = A x V.
Manning's Formula for velocity is: V = [R2/3 x S1/2 ] / n
By combining these two formulae, channel capacity or quantity of flow can be determined by:
Q=[A x R2/3 x S1/2 ]/n
Where:
Q = Quantity of flow in cubic meters per second
V = Mean velocity in meters per second
A = Flow area in square meters
P = Wetted perimeter in meters
R = Hydraulic radius in meters = A/P
S = Slope or energy gradient in meters drop per meter length
n = Roughness coefficient
Trapezoidal watercourse: A=bxd+Zxd2 & P = b + 2d [Z2 + l]0.5
Rectangular watercourse: A=bxd & P=b+2d

Roughness Coefficient (n)

It is the resistance or friction between the water and the channel surface

Channel conditions which have the greatest influence on the "n" value are:

1. physical roughness of the bottom and sides of the channel,

2. vegetation,

3. variations in size and cross-section,

4. channel alignment,

5. silting or scouring and

6. obstructions.

Table of Roughness Coefficient "n" for Small Channels

Description Minimum Maximum

Unlined Earthen Channels
1. new-straight and uniform 0.020 0.025
2. aged and vegetated with:
a. Short grass 0.030 0.040
b. Long grass 0.050 0.080
Lined Channels
1. concrete 0.012 0.018
2. brick plastered 0.012 0.018
3. brick unplastered 0.016 0.020

- For earthen channels an "n" value of 0.035 is used to determine capacity (cross-section)
and 0.025 to check for non-erosive velocity.

- For lined channels, “n” value of 0.018 is used for concrete and plastered brick masonry.

- As the flow in watercourses is small, it is common practice to describe flow quantity in

liters per second (lps). instead of cubic meters per second (m3 /sec).

Conversion: 1 m3 /sec = 1000 lps

Optimum Hydraulic Cross-section:

The discharge at a given section in the channel depends not only on the roughness coefficient
(n). the longitudinal slope (S) and the cross-section area (A), but also on shape of channel, as
expressed by its hydraulic radius (R).

A deep-narrow channel and a wide-shallow channel may both have the same cross-sectional
area. but the hydraulic radius and consequently the discharge will be different. The cross-section
with the larger hydraulic radius (less wetted perimeter) is the hydraulically optimum cross-
section. Therefore rectangular and trapezoidal shapes are usually used. The following width and
flow depth ratios give hydraulically optimum cross-sections.

For Rectangular Channel b = 2d

For Trapezoidal Channel b = 0.8d for side slop 1:1

b = 0.6d for side slope 1.5:1

b = 0.5d for side slope 2:1

Head loss in Structures:

A structure such as a nucca or culvert in a watercourse results in headloss. This causes water to
back up, upstream, of the structure. Usually the headless is not great enough to affect the overall
hydraulics of the watercourse. When the structures are so close, that the backwater curve reaches
the next structure upstream the headloss becomes significant and additive.

As a rule of thumb if the structure headloss is 50% (or less) of the headloss due to slope between
the structures, the back water curve should not reach the upstream structure.

Assume a slope of 0.0003 meters per meter and an average check spacing of 330 meters, then
headloss due to slope is 10 cm. (330 x 0.0003). Using a headloss of 3 cm. (30% of the 10 cm.
headloss) the capacity of round check structures would be as follows:
 Dia. M aximum capacity with
A 3 cm headloss
in. cm lps
12 31 45
15 38 70
18 46 105
20 51 130
24 61 180

Data required for Watercourse Design

- Optimum discharge
- FSL and bed of canal
- Outlet data
- Highest field elevations of command area for each turnout
- Old FSL and bed levels of main and branch watercourses at each 30 meters
- Bed levels of existing structures if any
- Adjoining field elevations
- Command area map showing watercourse route, location of nakka points, roads etc.
Capacity Requirements
- Velocity
- Freeboard
- Full supply level
- Side slope
- Berm width
- Seepage losses
 Design Criteria.
Objectives

To introduce the parameters to be considered while finalizing the design of a watercourse so that
the design may be:-

- Technically feasible

- Economically viable

- Socially acceptable

Capacity Requirements.
The design capacity of the channel should be determined by considering the measured discharge,
sanctioned discharge by the Irrigation Department including any special quota and additional
water from tubewells if any. Earthen channels should be designed with sufficient capacity to
carry the required flows at slower velocities that develop under greater retardance conditions due
to grass weeds etc.
Velocities.
Flow velocities in earthen channels should be non-erosive for the soil material in which it is
constructed. Erosion will occur if the velocity is too high. For checking velocities, the lower “n”
value of the newly constructed or cleaned channel should be used. Drop structures may be
required to reduce the channel slope and velocity. The maximum permissible non-erosive
velocities for various soils are given following Table. The maximum design velocity of concrete
or brick lined channels is 2.5 meters per second. Fast velocities may cause cavitation that causes
pitting or wearing away of the lining.

Permissible Non-erosive Velocities in Channels

Velocity in meters/second

Channel Bed Material Canal Water Tubewell Water

1 Very fine sand 0.75 0.45
2 Sandy loam 0.75 0.55
3 Silty loam 0.90 0.60
4 Alluvial silt without colloids 1.00 0.60
(silty clay loam)
5 Dense clay 1.00 0.75
To minimize siltation the minimum velocity should be greater than 0.15 meters per second
Freeboard.
Freeboard is the berm height above the maximum designed water surface elevation. It is
provided to allow for the most severe operating conditions. Minimum freeboard requirements are
given in following Table.

Minimum Freeboard Requirements

Earthen channels 1 /3 of design flow depth or 15 cms, whichever is greater
Rectangular lined channels 10 cms
Trapezoidal lined channels 7.5 cms.

More freeboard may be provided if required for berm settlement, siltation or expected
poor maintenance.

Full Supply Level

The design water surface elevations should be high enough at turnouts to provide required flow
onto the fields. A minimum working head of 10 to 15 cms should be provided at each turnout for
the highest field elevation it commands.

Side-Slope for Earthen Watercourses.

Earthen watercourses should be designed to have stable side-slopes. Side-slopes for design flow
depths are given in following Table.

Permissible side-slops(Z) in earthen watercourses

Excavated sections Fill Sections
Permissible Recommended Permissible Recommended
Z Z Z Z
1 Loams, silt 1:1 1:1 1:1 1.5:1
loams silly-
days, clays.
2 Sandy 1:1 1:1 1.5:1 2:1
loams
3 Loamy 1.5:1 2:1 2:1 3:1
sands and
sands
Berm Width.
The berm width of the watercourse should be equal to the flow depth, but not less than 0.30
meters. For lined sections, the berm width includes the lining width plus earthen width.

Watercourse Seepage Losses.

The seepage loss rate in earthen watercourses depends primarily on soil texture and density.
Coarse textured soils, such as sands, have a higher rate than fine textured soils, clays. Similarly,
loose un-compacted soils due to rodent and insect activity, plant roots, disturbance because of
berm cutting for turnouts, etc. have higher seepage rates than dense compacted soils. The
seepage losses of improved watercourses with properly constructed and compacted berms can be
estimated from the figure given below. If the estimated losses are too high, better earthen
material can be brought in or the watercourse lined to reduce seepage
Seepage Rates of Different Soil Textures

Seepage loss per 1000m (%) Seepage loss per 1000m (lps)
A) Fine textures soil – (clays-clay loams)
B) Medium textured soils – (loams-silts)
C) Coarse textured soils – (sandy loams)
 DESIGN PROCEDURE

The approach of watercourse design is to establish FSL in watercourse to provide sufficient

working head to irrigate watercourse command area without submergence of mogha.
Determination of optimum discharge, command area map, profile map and hydraulic formula are
the prerequisites for watercourse design.

A- Determine the optimum discharge.

(a) Collect information from Irrigation Department about;
- Sanctioned discharge and special quotas
- Type and dimensions of canal outlet

(b) Conduct the field survey to obtain;

- Data of outlet
- Data of canal
- Data of tubewells or other sources if any.

(c ) Calculate the discharge of mogha as under:-

Open Flume Semi Modular Outlet

Q = K Bt G3/2
Where Q = Discharge of outlet (in LPS)
K = Constant
Bt = Width of throat (in m)
G = Depth of water in canal above crest of mogha (in m)

K Bt
1600 0.06 to 0.09 m
1630 0.09 to 0.12 m
1650 > 0.12 m

AOSM Outlet

Q = 4030 Bt Y (Hs)1/2
Where Q = Discharge of outlet (in LPS)
Bt = Width of throat (in m)
Y = LTRB – Crest of mogha (in m)
Hs = FSL Canal – LTRB (in m)
Pipe & Scratchly Outlets

Q = Cd A (2gH)1/2
Where Q = Discharge of outlet (in m3 /sec)
Cd = Coefficient of Discharge
 A = Cross sectional area of outlet pipe (in sq.m)
= 3.14 D2 /4 D = diameter of pipe (in m)
g = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/sec2
H = Difference in FSL canal & FSL watercourse (in m)

(d) Calculate the discharge of tubewells by trajectory method as under;

Q = 0.0174 D 2 x / y1/2 for pipes flowing full

Q = 0.0174 D 2 x a / y1/2 A for pipes flowing partially

Where Q = Discharge of tubewell (in LPS)
D = Diameter of pipe (in cm)
x = Horizontal distance from end of pipe to point where
jet drops y cm (in cm)
y = Vertical distance measured down to surface of jet (in cm)
a = Area of the jet at the end of pipe (in sq.cm)
A = Cross sectional area of pipe (in sq.cm)

(e) Using suitable measuring devices, take discharge measurement at head, middle
and tail of watercourse to determine the extent of water losses.

(f) Determine the total discharge for design purpose by adding the mogha discharge,
any special quota and tubewell discharge if any.

(g) Prepare discharge calculation sheet and record the relevant data in this sheet.

B- Command Area and Profile Maps

a) Preparation of Topographic Map.

Topographic and profile maps are the primary tools of watercourse design. They give a
visual picture of the existing field conditions. A topographic map must include the
information required to design a watercourse. The information must be collected from the
Irrigation Department and by visual observation while carrying out survey of the command
area in the presence of the executive committee.

 Reflect actual boundaries, gross and culturable command areas.

 Enter the elevations of each acre of command area.
 Mark the highest field elevations in the command area of each turnout.
 Draw the entire length of main watercourse and official branches at sanctioned route
and show the width of right of way.
 Locate nakkas at main watercourse & official branches. A suggested rule of thumb is
one nakka for each 25 acres.
 Locate tentative locations of check structures. A general rule of thumb is
approximately 300m distance between two consecutive checks.
  Determine the extent and location of pucca lining. Consider areas with sandy or
unstable soils, high fill sections and sections that pass through village areas.
 Determine the extent of katcha improvement needed.
 Locate culverts, drops, siphons, animal wallows etc. if required.
 Locate tubewells and record the discharge of each tubewell.
 Locate village, roads and other prominent features.
 Locate bench marks and record their elevations.
 Give legend for all the features.
 Draw the map according to proper and uniform scale.

b) Preparation of Profile Map.

The profile map gives a complete hydraulic picture of the design and is a valuable tool for
use during construction, The profile map must show all the elevations and basic features
along the length of watercourse. Prepare the profile map of the main and branch watercourses
as under.

 Mark the elevation of crest of mogha.

 Mark the elevation of FSL of canal.
 Plot the profile for existing FSL, existing bed elevations and average field elevations
at each 30m interval.
 Mention the location and elevation of all existing structures falling in the route of
watercourse.
 Plot the maximum FSL below mogha and required FSL elevations at each turnout.
 Mention the distance, sloe and hydraulic picture of each design reach.
 Draw the FSL & bed for lined and earthen sections.

DESIGN STEPS
1. To Determine Maxi FSL below Mogha

Maximum FSL below mogha can be computed for different types of mogha as follow:

 Open Flume Outlet

Maxi FSL of Watercourse = FSL canal – Hm
Where Hm = 0.2 x G
Hm = Minimum modular head ( working head)
G = Depth of water in canal above crest of mogha
 Adjustment Office Semi-Module (Closed) Type
Maxi FSL of Watercourse = FSL Canal – Hm
Hm = 0.83 Hs – 0.5Bt
Hm = Minimum modular head ( working head)
 Hs = Distance between FSL in canal and lower tip of roof block
Bt = Throat Width
 Pipe/scratchily Outlet
Maximum FSL below mogha/out let should be lower than the FSL in canal. Both
these out lets are used where sufficient working

head is not available.

2. Required FSL at Turnouts

FSL at each turnout is determined as followed :
 Determine highest field elevation commanded by the turnout from the
topographic map
 Add 0.10 –0.15m to the highest filed elevation as working head needed to move
the water from watercourse to the filed.
 Add 0.01 m for each 100 m distance if the highest field is away from the turnout.
 Prepare the work sheet for required FSL at turnouts.

WORKSHEET FOR REQUIRED FSL AT TURNOUTS

Turnout Elevation of Distance from Required FSL Remarks

No. highest field turnout to high at each turnout
served by field (100m)
turnout (m)
1 2 3 4 5

Required FSL = Col.2 + + 0.15m + (Col 3 x 0.01)

WATER SURFACE PROFILE.

 Plot the maxi. FSL below mogha and required FSL for each turnout on the profile map.
The tentative design surface profile can be fitted to these elevations. Water surface profile
must maintain downward slope.
 Place a long straight edge on the profile map and draw best fitted line, starting at or
below the maximum FSL below mogha keeping the line on or above the required FSL at
each turnout. This will result a design water surface profile. It is desirable to keep the
slope as uniform as possible.
 In some cases it may not be possible to maintain a downward slope from the maximum
FSL below mogha to meet the required FSL at each turnout. In these cases the water may
have to checked up with temporary submergence of the mogha or the high field may have
to be lowered.

If either of these two alternatives are not feasible the field may have to be left un-
commanded.

4. SELECT THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF WATERCOURSE.

 Compute the slope for each design reach

Slope = Difference in elevation between two points

Horizontal distance between the points

 Use Manning equation to calculate flow characteristics

V = R2/3 . S1/2
n
 For Rectangular Section
A = bd P = b+2d

 For Trapezoidal Section

A = bd + zd2 P = b + 2d z2 +1
 Q = AV
= A (A/P)2/3 . S1/2
n

Q = AR2/3 . S1/2 or AR2/3 = Q n …………. (1)

n S1/2

In equation (1) Q, S and n are known but only b & d are two variables for rectangular
section; whereas b, d and z are three variables for trapezoidal sections and are required to be
determined.
 Assume the value of b and calculate d accordingly. Velocity should be computed . Check
whether it falls in the permissible range or not
 The bed level is determined by subtracting d from designed FSL.

Following points should be considered during computations.

- Design velocity should be non erosive,
- Bed level may not cause submergence of mogha.
If the computation, do not meet the design requirement then re-examine for another value
of b and proceed for new computations.
The hydraulic formulae are used to compute the channel velocity and cross section.
Nomographs and design tables give direct solution for velocity and flow depth for both
lined and Earthen Channels.

Use of Nomographs.

The nomographs are direct solutions to Mannings equation and can be used to find channel
velocity and cross section requirements against the given value of discharge, slope. Flow depth
and velocity can be found at certain value of bottom width.

Example.

Given parameters for earthen channel with Side slopes 1:1 and b = 0.40.
S = 0.0005 and Q = 90 lps
Find flow depth and velocity
Refer to figure A8 for solution.
 Find 90 on the left scale for discharge
  Read across to the vertical line for a slope of 0.0005 on the bottom
 The intersection is at a flow depth of 0.45m and a velocity of about 0.30 m/sec

5. Water Control Structures

Location of turnouts is shown on the map. But the location of check structure is to be
determined. By utilizing the freeboard a check can raise FSL high enough to save upstream
turnouts without over toping.

L = F .B / 2 S
Where L Distance (m) upstream a check structure can save
F.B = Freeboard (m )
S = Slope of watercourse (m/m)

Example:

FB = 0.15 m
S = 0.0004 m/m
L = 0.15 x 2 ( 0.0004) = 187.5 m
Therefore the check structures can serve turnouts as far as 188 upstream

STEPS FOR DESIGNING

1. Draw command area map

2. Conduct bench mark, profile and topographic survey and take the type of
moga and its parameters
3. Calculate the elevation from survey notes
4. Show the location of bench mark on the topo map with elevation
5. Locate the nacca, culvert line and kacha portion of topographic map
6. Draw the profile map from Profile survey of old bed, old FSL and side field
7. Enter all elevation in top map
8. Identify highest field in topo map for each nacca
9. Calculate the discharge of moga with the help of moga preparation
10. Determine the maximum FSL below moga
 11. Select the size and shape of section
12. Determine side slop of kacha section
13. Determine the value of “n” for line and kacha section
14. Calculate the overall slope of watercourse
15. By using the tables, calculate bottom width, flow depth, and velocity in kacha
and lined section
16. Calculate head loss for each length
17. Determine Head loss for each section
18. Determine FSL by adding working head in flow depth
19. Determine free board for each section.
20. Determine the berm width of each section
21. Prepare design sheet for main and branch watercourse
22. Calculate, designed bed at each turn out
23. Draw the designed FSL and designed bed on profile map
24. Prepare construction sheet.
- Material Estimate
- Optimum Cost Estimate

Material Estimate

An estimate of material quantities needed for construction should be made. Estimate of the lined
watercourse will be based on the quantity of masonry in volume unit (m3 ) Then an estimate for
bricks, cement, sand etc can be determined on following basis:

 One cubic meter of bricks masonry contains 450 bricks and 0.23 m3 mortar
 Plaster 1 cm thick = 0.01 m3 per square meter of planned area

These estimates do not include allowances for losses. Losses can vary considerably from place to
place for a given situation. Therefore, the decision is left to the executing agency. OFWM
standards used to estimate watercourse construction material i.e. bricks, cement and sand

Cement sand ratio both for masonry and plaster work 1:4
Maximum material requirements per m3 masonry volume including losses are

Bricks = 500 Nos.

Cement = 1.870 bags
Sand = 0.26 m3
Estimate for typical structures are determined from individual drawings in the same way.
OPTIMUM CROSS-SECTION
Discharge in channel depends upon:
 Longitudinal slope
 Roughness co-efficient
 Cross-Sectional Area of Channel
 Shape of the element as expressed of by its hydraulic radius.

A deep narrow channel may both have the same cross-sectional area but their hydraulic
radius and consequently discharge will be different.
The cross-section with huge hydraulic radius is more efficient and thus hydraulic optimum
cross-section. The following width flow depth ratio gives most hydraulically optimum cross-
section.

Rectangular
b=2d

Trapezoidal

Side Slop
1 : 1 b = 0.08 d
1.5 : 1 b = 0.69 d
2 : 1 b = 0.5 d
- Preparation of Cost Estimates & Record keeping
o Preparing Inventory
o Civil Work Dimensions
o Description of Works
o Calculation of cost per unit volume
o Government / farmer cost sharing mechanism
o Material Procurement Procedure
 o Record of Water Users Association
Preparation of Materials & Cost Estimates

After completion of social mobilization, watercourse surveying and designing, the material &
cost estimates are required as a financial component. Following steps are taken in this regard.

1- Preparing Inventory

For preparing cost estimates, the following information is required; watercourse no., village,
tehsil, total length, percentage of lining, length to be improved. It is the first part of cost estimate.

2- Defining the dimensions

The dimensions of the channel are dependent upon the design. Design is prepared for lined
section and katcha section. The dimensions for culvert and other structures are as given in the
drawing in manual. The following dimension for lined are required.

1- Total depth (m)

2- Flow Depth (m)
3- Thickness of wall (m)
4- Bed of Floor (m)
5- Width of Floor (m)
6- Thickness of Floor (m)

3- Description of works

The detail of civil works which have to be executed is required. In this section the following
details are required;

1- Lining length, unit volume and total volume

2- Total nakkas and size to be installed, unit volume and total volume

3- Total culverts to be constructed and their size, unit volume, and total volume

4- Animals wallows, unit size, unit volume, total volume

5- Other structures, sluice drops, siphons, their unit volume or data volume

6- Then sum up all the total volumes

7- Calculation for materials required.

 8- Bricks, calculate the quantity of bricks by multiplying 500 with the total volume
which will give the total estimate of quantity of bricks.

9- Cement, total volumes multiplied by 1.87 will give the quantity of cement
required in number of bags.

10- Sand, total volume multiplied by 0.26 gives the total sand required in cubic
meters.

11- Calculate the cost by multiplying the rate of each item

The rate should be as

Rs._________/1000 bricks for bricks
Rs._________/bags cement
Rs._________/m3 for sand

12- To calculate the rate/m3 , the total cost is divided by the total volume.

How to calculate Government and farmers share

In the PC-I of National Program for Watercourse Improvement, the Government and Farmers
share is 64:36. 64% cost will be equal to the total material cost. This share has to be borne by the
Government. The 36% cost will be borne by the farmers in shape of katcha improvement and
skilled and unskilled labor. The katcha improvement work will be 18%. It is presumed that the
katcha work will be equal to 18% of the total cost estimate. The remaining 18% will be the labor
charges for lined section of skilled and unskilled labor. The narrated form can be translated by
the givien example;

Total cost of material = Rs.600,000 = 64%

Farmers Share = Rs.337,500 = 36%
Total Cost = Rs.937,500 = 100%
o Using Solvmann Computer Program
S O L V M A N N version 2! By Dr. E.C. Olsen Dept. of Biological & Irrigation Engineering
Utah State University Logan, Utah 84322-4105, USA
I. Methodology
SOLVMANN will find the solution to "Manning's" equation for trapezoidal canal sections from
two distinct approaches:
 1) It will find a straight forward algebraic solution of the Manning Equation for the
"velocity" and the resulting "discharge" when the cross-sectional geometry; the
roughness factor, n; the longitudinal slope; and the depth of flow in the channel are given.
2) SOLVMANN will also solve the Manning Equation for the "depth" of flow by the
Newton-Raphson iterative procedure if the cross-sectional geometry; the roughness
factor, n; the longitudinal slope; and the discharge are given. It then determines the
resulting "velocity" of water movement in addition to the depth.
3) Too, SOLVMANN will solve the Manning Equation for the required "slope" to carry a
given discharge at a required depth in a channel cross-section of a design trapezoidal
shape.
The solution methodology is chosen by the user by selecting the appropriate option button in the
user interface window.
The Froude Number is also determined by all methods.
 If the Froude Number is found to be greater than 0.95, the user is alerted by an audible
alarm and the number is shown in a "red" box.
 If the Froude Number is found to be greater than 0.85 but less than or equal to 0.95, an
audible "beep" is sounded and the number is shown in a "yellow" box.
These alerts are given only to bring the high Froude Number to the user's attention in the user
interface window.
II. Operation
Options, commands, and data boxes are "selected" most easily by "clicking" on them with a
"mouse". However, the TAB key will also cycle through the choices in a logical order to select
them. When an item is selected it is either highlighted or contains a blinking cursor. The
alternative option button pairs are selected by tabbing. Then the choice between the buttons of a
selected group is made with the up and down arrows on the key board. Also, a particular button
may be selected directly (without tabbing) by simultaneo usly pressing down the ALT key and
the keyboard letter which corresponds with the highlighted letter which labels the desired button
on the user inter-face form.
III. User Language
SOLVMANN will present the user interface prompts and labels in either English or Spanish. The
user need only choose the desired language by selecting the appropriate option button in the user
interface window.
VI. Units of Measurement
SOLVMANN will operate in either the Metric System (SI) or in the English System (feet) of
measurements. Again, the user need only choose the desired system of units by selecting the
appropriate option button in the user interface window.
V. Data Entry
The data input boxes are selected either by the mouse or by tabbing in order to place the blinking
cursor in the box. The required data for the selected box is then typed in from the keyboard by
the user. The next input box is then selected and its data is typed in. It is NOT, repeat NOT,
necessary to press ENTER! All of the data input boxes are filled in in this manner, in no
particular order. All of the data boxes and the option buttons are labeled with bright cyan
colored letters. (The "output" boxes are labeled in bright white letters).
VI. Manning's Roughness Factors, n
To provide a convenience to the user, a table of roughness factors is provided in the user
interface window.
1. Mouse Operation
The table "drops down" when the user selects the box where the value of n is required by
clicking on the "down arrow" to the right of the box. Several canal surface conditions are
described, a range of typical values of n for each condition is given, and a normal design value
for n is given. The user clicks on the desired condition with the mouse. The table disappears and
the selected condition appears highlighted in the input box. If nothing further is done, the design
value for the selected condition will be utilized in the calculations. However, the user still has the
opportunity to type in any desired value for n. The previous data selected from the table will
disappear from the input box and only the manually typed value will appear and be utilized in the
calculations.
2. Tab operation
The input data box for Manning's n is selected by tabbing. When it is selected it appears in
inverse highlight. At that moment any value of n may be manually typed in, OR the
descriptions in the table may be selected one at a time by pressing either the "up" or "down"
arrows on the keyboard.
If no further modification is made by the user, the design value presented in the box will be
utilized in the calculations. If it is not desired to use the given design value of n at this time, TAB
off the n data input box and then back to it again. This TAB action, on and off the box, will re-
establish the inverse highlight of the box and the desired value of n may then be typed in.
Alternatively, the RESET button may be selected and activated. You may now cycle through the
data boxes with TAB again until the input DATA box for Manning's n is again highlighted. Your
condition previously selected from the table will still be in the box shown in inverse highlight. At
that moment you may type in any other value to be used for n, and the data from the table will
disappear from the box.
CAUTION! When you RESET you will lose data previously inserted into two of the other input
data boxes!
VII. Operation
When all of the required input data boxes contain the desired values, select the COMPUTE
button in any of the prescribed ways. (If any of the Control buttons are selected by tabbing, they
may be activated by pressing ENTER on the keyboard.) Results of the calculations will appear in
the appropriately labelled output boxes. To run the calculations again with another set of data,
use the RESET button to clear some of the data boxes, reset the output boxes to zero, and to
make the COMPUTE button visible again.
If some data have been poorly entered in a detectable manner, notice will be given at the
activation of the COMPUTE button and the cursor will appear in the data box containing the
faulty data. Re-enter the faulty data and activate COMPUTE once again. If no other data is
erroneous, you will obtain results from SOLVMANN, and the COMPUTE button will disappear
until the RESET button is used. When you desire to exit the program, active the QUIT button.