Canal Regulation Works

Dr.P.Sarath
ANU

Syllabus
Canal Regulation Works:
Canal Fall- Necessity and LocationTypes of Falls- Cross Regulator and
Distributory Head Regulator- Their
Functions, Silt Control Devices, Canal
Escapes- Types of Escapes.

What is Canal Fall?

Whenever the available natural ground
slope is steep than the designed bed
slope of the channel, the difference is
adjusted by constructing vertical falls or
drops in the canal bed at suitable intervals,
as shown in figure below. Such a drop in a
natural canal bed will not be stable and,
therefore, in order to retain this drop, a
masonry structure is constructed. Such a
structure is called a Canal Fall or a Canal
drop.

Canal Fall

Canal Fall
Irrigation canals are designed for a
prescribed bed slope so that velocity
becomes non silting or non scouring. But if
the ground topography is such that in order
to maintain the canal designed slope,
indefinite filling from falling ground level is
to be made. This indefinite filling is avoided
by constructing a hydraulic structure in the
place of sudden bed level. This hydraulic
structure is called canal fall or drop. Beyond
the canal fall, canal again maintains its
designed slope.

Canal Fall
Thus, a canal fall or drop is an irrigation
structure constructed across a canal to
lower down its bed level to maintain the
designed slope when there is a change of
ground level to maintain the designed
slope when there is change of ground
level. This falling water at the fall has
some surplus energy. The fall
is
constructed in such a way that it can
destroy this surplus energy.

Necessity of Canal Falls

When the slope of the ground suddenly
changes
to steeper
slope,
the
permissible bed slope can not be
maintained.
It
requires
excessive
earthwork in filling to maintain the slope.
In such a case falls are provided to avoid
excessive earth work in filling

Necessity of Canal Falls

Necessity of Canal Falls

When the slope of the ground is
more or less
uniform and the
slope is greater than the permissible
bed slope of canal.

Necessity of Canal Falls

In cross-drainage works, when the
difference between bed level of
canal and that of drainage is
small or when the F.S.L of the
canal is above the bed level of
drainage then the canal fall is
necessary to carry the canal water
below the stream or drainage.

Necessity of Canal Falls

Types of Canal Fall

Depending on the ground level conditions and
shape of the fall the various types of fall are:
Ogee Fall
The ogee fall was constructed by Sir Proby Cautley
on the Ganga Canal. This type of fall has gradual
convex and concave surfaces i.e. in the ogee form.
The gradual convex and concave surface is
provided with an aim to provide smooth transition
and to reduce disturbance and impact. A hydraulic
jump is formed which dissipates a part of kinetic
energy. Upstream and downstream of the fall is
provided by Stone Pitching.

Ogee Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Stepped Fall
It consists of a series of vertical drops in the form of
steps. This steps is suitable in places where sloping
ground is very long and require a long glacis to
connect the higher bed level u/s with lower bed
level d/s. it is practically a modification of rapid fall.
The sloping glacis is divided into a number drops to
bring down the canal bed step by step to protect
the canal bed and sides from damage by erosion.
Brick walls are provided at each drop. The bed of
the canal within the fall is protected by rubble
masonry with surface finishing by rich cement
mortar.

Stepped Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Vertical Fall (Sarda Fall)
In the simple type, canal u/s bed is on the
level of upstream curtain wall, canal u/s
bed level is below the crest of curtain wall.
In both the cases, a cistern is formed to
act as water cushion. Floor is made of
concrete u/s and d/s side stone pitching
with cement grouting is provided. This
type of fall is used in Sarda Canal UP and
therefore, it is also called Sarda Fall.

Vertical Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Rapid Fall
When the natural ground level is
even and rapid, this rapid fall is
suitable. It consists of long sloping
glacis. Curtain walls are provided on
both u/s and d/s sides. Rubble
masonry with cement grouting is
provided from u/s curtain wall to d/s
curtain wall. Masonry surface is
finished with a rich cement mortar.

Rapid Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Straight Glacis Fall
It consists of a straight glacis
provided with a crest wall. For
dissipation of energy of flowing
water, a water cushion is provided.
Curtain walls are provided at toe and
heel. Stone pitching is required at
upstream and downstream of the fall.

Straight Glacis Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Trapezoidal Notch Fall
It was designed by Reid in 1894. In this type a
body or foundation wall across the channel
consisting of several trapezoidal notches
between side pier and intermediate pier is
constructed. The sill of the notches are kept at
upstream bed level of the canal. The body wall
is made of concrete. An impervious floor is
provided to resist the scouring effect of falling
water. Upstream and downstream side of the
fall is protected by stone pitching finished with
cement grouting

Trapezoidal Notch Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Well or Cylinder Notch Fall
In this type, water of canal from
higher level is thrown in a well or a
cylinder from where it escapes from
bottom. Energy is dissipated in the
well in turbulence. They are suitable
for
low
discharges
and
are
economical also.

Types of Canal Fall

Montague Type Fall
In the straight glacis type profile,
energy dissipation is not complete.
Therefore, montague developed this
type
of
profile
where
energy
dissipation takes place. His profile is
parabolic and is given by the
following equation,

Montague Type Fall

Montague Type Fall

Types of Canal Fall

Inglis or Baffle Fall
Here glacis is straight and sloping,
but baffle wall provided on the
downstream floor dissipate the
energy. Main body of glacis is made
of concrete. Curtain walls both at toe
and heel are provided. Stone pitching
are essential both at u/s and d/s ends

Inglis or Baffle Fall

Canal Escape
It is a side channel constructed to remove
surplus water from an irrigation channel
(main canal, branch canal, or distributary
etc.) into a natural drain.
The water in the irrigation channel may
become surplus due to Mistake
Difficulty in regulation at the head
Excessive rainfall in the upper reaches
Outlets being closed by cultivators as they
find the demand of water is over

Canal Escape

It is the structure required to dispose of surplus or excess

water from canal from time to time. Thus, a canal escape
serves as safety valve for canal system. It provides
protection to the canal from possible damage due to
excess supply which may be due to mistake in releasing
water at head regulator or heavy rainfall that makes
sudden regular demand of water.
The excess supply makes the canal banks vulnerable to
failure due to overtopping or dangerous leaks.
Therefore, provision for disposing this surplus water in
form of canal escapes at suitable intervals along the canal
is essential. Moreover emptying canal for repair and
maintenance and removal of sediment deposited in the
canal can also be achieved with the help of canal escapes.

Escapes are usually of the

following three types.
Surplus Escape
It is also called regulator type. In this
type sill of the escape is kept at
canal bed level and the flow is
controlled by a gate. This type of
escapes are preferred now-a-days as
they give better control and can be
used for employing the canal for
maintenance.

Surplus Escape

Surplus Escape

Escapes are usually of the

following three types.
Tail Escape
A tail escape is provided at the tail
end of the canal and is useful in
maintaining the required FSL in the
tail reaches of the canal and hence,
they are called tail escape.

Tail Escape

Escapes are usually of the

following three types.
Scouring Escape
This escape is constructed for the purpose of scouring
of excess silt deposited in the head reaches from time
to time. Hence, it is called scouring escape. Here the
sill of the regulator is kept at about 0.3 m below the
canal bed level at escape site.
When deposited silt to be scoured, a higher discharge
than the FSL is allowed to enter the canal from the
head works. The gate of the escape is raised so as to
produce scouring velocity which remove the deposited
silt. This type of Escape has become obsolete as silt
ejector provided in the canal can produce better
efficiency.

Scouring Escape

Head Regulator
Regulators Constructed at the off taking point are
called head regulators. When it is constructed at the
head of main canal it is known as canal head
regulator. And when it is constructed at the head of
distributary, it is called distributary head regulator.

Function:
To control the entry of water either from the
reservoir or from the main canal.
To control the entry of silt into off taking or main
canal.
To serve as a meter for measuring discharge of
water.

Head Regulator
Construction: The components of head
regulator depends upon the size of canal
and location of head regulator. It consists
of one or more gated research openings
with barrels running through the bank. For
large canals head regulators are flumed to
facilitate the measurement of discharge.

Head Regulator

Cross Regulator
Cross Regulator
A Regulator Constructed in the main canal or parent
canal downstream of an off take canal is called crossregulator.
It is generally constructed at a distance of 9 to 12 km
along the main canal and 6 to 10 km along branch
canal.
Functions:
(i) To Control the flow of water in canal system
(ii) To feed the off taking Canals
(iii) To enable closing of the canal breaches on the d/s
(iv) To provide roadway for vehicular traffic

Cross Regulator

Cross Regulator
Construction: For Cross Regulators
abutments with grooves and piers are
constructed parallel to the parent
canal. The sill of regulation is kept little
higher than the u/s bed level of canal
across which it is constructed. Vertical
lift gates are fitted in the grooves. The
gates can be operate from the road.

Canal regulators

Canal regulators

Cross Regulator

Head Regulator

Silt Control Devices

Scouring Sluices or Under sluices, silt pocket and
silt excluders
The above three components are employed for silt
control at the head work. Divide wall creates a silt
pocket. Silt excluder consists of a number under
tunnels resting on the floor pocket. Top floor of the
tunnel is at the level of sill of the head regulator.
Various tunnels of different lengths are made. The
tunnel near the head regulator is of same length of
head regulator and successive tunnels towards the
divide wall are short. Velocity near the silt laden
water is disposed downstream through tunnels and
under sluices.

Silt Control Devices

Silt Excluder: The silt excluder is
located on the u/s of diversion weir and
in front of the head regulator. The object
is to remove silt that has entered in the
stilling basin through scouring sluices.
Silt Ejector: Silt Ejector is located in the
canal take off from the diversion weir at 6
to 10 km in the canal reach. It ejects the
silt that has entered in the canal

Silt Control Devices

Silt Excluder

Silt Control Devices

Silt Ejector

Silt Control Devices

Canal Outlet/modules
A canal outlet or a module is a
small structure built at the head
of the water course so as to connect
it with a minor or a distributary
channel.
It acts as a connecting link between
the system manager and the
farmers.

Canal Outlet/modules

Non-Modular Modules

Non-modular modules are those through

which the discharge depends upon the
head difference between the distributary
and the water course.
Common examples are:
(i) Open sluice
(ii) Drowned pipe outlet

Types of Outlet/modules
Non-modular modules

Semi-Modules or Flexible
modules
Due to construction, a super-critical velocity is
ensured in the throat and thereby allowing the
formation of a jump in the expanding flume.
The formation of hydraulic jump makes the outlet
discharge independent of the water level in water
course, thus making it a semi module. Semimodules or flexible modules are those through
which the discharge is independent of the water
level of the water course but depends only upon the
water level of the distributary so long as a minimum
working head is available.
Examples are pipe outlet, open flume type etc.

Semi-Modules or Flexible
modules

Rigid Modules or Modular

Outlets
Rigid modules or modular outlets are
those through which discharge is constant
and fixed within limits, irrespective of the
fluctuations of the water levels of either
the distributary or of the water course or
both.
An example is Gibbs module:

Gibbs Module

Exam Questions
Dec 2011, June 2012

What do you understand by a fall

in canal? Why it is necessary?
What are the functions of a canal
head regulator?
Explain functions of cross regulator
and distributory head regulator.
Write a S.N. on Types of Canal Falls

References
Irrigation Engineering

By
By Prof
Prof N
NN
N Basak
Basak
Tata
Tata Mcgraw-Hill
Mcgraw-Hill

Irrigation Engineering & Hydraulic Structures

By
By Prof.
Prof. Santosh
Santosh Kumar
Kumar Garg
Garg
Khanna
Khanna Publishers
Publishers

Internet Websites
http://www.uap-bd.edu/
Lecture Notes By: Dr. M. R. Kabir

Professor
Professor and
and Head,
Head, Department
Department of
of Civil
Civil Engineering
Engineering
Department
Department
University
University of
of Asia
Asia Pacific
Pacific (UAP),
(UAP), Dhaka
Dhaka

GHT

Thanks..