DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Visca, Baybay City Leyte PHILIPPINES

Email: dce@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph
VSU’s VISION: A globally competitive university for science, technology and environmental conservation
VSU’s MISSION: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and
innovative technologies for sustainable communities and development.

CENG 148: WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING 1

( MWF 9:00 – 10: 00 )

A WRITTEN REPORT ON IRRIGATION

WORLDWIDE AND SOURCES & STORAGE OF
IRRIGATION OF WATER

PRESENTED BY:

ABAD, JANIN
BULAHAN, EDUARDO
GAMUTAN, BEN DANIEL
MASKARIÑO, RIZZA
PAÑA, ROD ANTHONY

PRENSENTED TO:
ENGR. GLADYS G. DOYDORA
 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City Leyte PHILIPPINES
Email: dce@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph
VSU’s VISION: A globally competitive university for science, technology and environmental conservation
VSU’s MISSION: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and
innovative technologies for sustainable communities and development.

IRRIGATION WORLDWIDE
Irrigation is an age-old art. Civilizations have risen on irrigated land; they
have also decayed and disintegrated in irrigated regions. Most men who are well
informed concerning irrigation are certain of its perpetuity, so long as it is intelligently
practiced. Others insist that a civilization based on agriculture under irrigation is destined
sooner or later to decline, because some ancient civilization based on irrigation have
declined. The perpetuity of civilized people is probably dependent on many factors, of
which a permanently profitable agriculture is vitally important.

HISTORY OF IRRIGATION
Water is the most important input required for plant growth for agriculture.
Irrigation can be defined as replenishment of soil water storage in plant root zone through
methods other than natural precipitation. It is seen to have found its roots in the history of
mankind since earliest beginning. It helps reduce the uncertainties, particularly the
climatic uncertainties in agriculture practices

The earliest form of irrigation dates back at least 8000 years and the technique
remain an important part of successful agricultural practices across the world. Here is a
brief history of irrigation from the earliest days

 PERRENIAL IRRIGATION – was practiced in the Mesopotamian plain by coaxing

through a matrix of small channels formed in the field.
 BASIN IRRIGATION - was practiced in ancient EGYTPTIANS using the flooding of the
Nile to inundate land plots which had been surrounded by dykes.
 SAKIA IRRIGATION - was developed by the ancient Nubians, a form of irrigation by
using water wheel like device called sakia.
 QANATS IRRIGATION - was developed by the ancient Persian (800 BCE); oldest
known irrigation methods still in use today.
 SRI LANKA IRRIGATION – dates back to about 300 BC during the reign of King
Pandukabhaya. A very complex system of underground canals was used, and this
is the first place where artificial reservoirs for storing water.
 DUJIANGYAN IRRIGATION – was practiced in the Szechwan region belonging to
the state of Qin of ancient China, built to irrigate an enormous area of farmland
that today still supplies water.
 TERRACE IRRIGATION – an ancient technique that was used all over the world,
including in China and India, but it was used especially in the Americas.

CEng 148: Water Resources Engineering 1

IRRIGATION
Define as the artificial application of water to soil for the purpose of supplying the
water essential to plant growth.

Extent of Irrigaation
It is estimated that one third of the earth’s surface receives less than 10 inches of
water annually, and that an additional third receives only 10 to 20 inches. A summary of
the extent of irrigation in the world is given by the Bureau of Commerce as follows:

It thus appears that there are approximately 200 million acres of irrigated land in
the world, of which Asia has nearly three-fourths and North America slightly more than one-
eight.
Types of Irrigation System:
There are many different types of irrigation systems, depending on how the water
is distributed throughout the field. Some common types of irrigation systems include:
 SURFACE IRRIGATION - water is distributed over and across land by gravity, no
mechanical pump involved.
 LOCALIZED IRRIGATION – water is distributed under low pressure, through a piped
network and applied to each plant.
 DRIP IRRIGATION – A type of irrigation in which drops of water are delivered at or
near the roots of plants. In this type of irrigation, evaporation and run off are
minimized.
 SPRINKLER IRRIGATION – water is distributed by overhead high-pressure sprinklers
or guns from a central location in the field or from sprinkler on moving platforms.
 CENTRAL PIVOT IRRIGATION - Water is distribute by a system of sprinkler that move
on wheeled towers in a circular pattern. This system is common in flat areas in
United States.
 LATERAL MOVE IRRIGATION - Water is distributed through a series of pipes, each with a
wheel and a set of sprinklers, which are rotated either by hand or with a purpose-built
mechanism. The sprinkler moves a certain distance across the field and then need to have
the water hose reconnected for the next distance. This system tends to be less expensive
but requires more labor than others.
 SUB-IRRIGATION - Water is distribute across the land by raising the water table, through
a system of pumping stations, canals, gates and ditches; most effective in areas with high
water tables
 MANUAL IRRIGATION - Water is distribute across the land through manual labor
and watering can. This system is very labor intensive

CEng 148: Water Resources Engineering 1

 SOURCES & STORAGE OF IRRIGATION OF WATER
Precipitation constitutes the primary sources of water for irrigation. As a rule, the
precipitation which falls on the valley lands in irrigated regions is of little consequence as
a source of water for irrigation; that which falls on the mountain areas is the chief source
of supply. The success of every irrigation project rest largely on the adequacy and
dependability of its water supply.

Water is a major factor in successful production of greenhouse plants. An

adequate water supply is needed for irrigation, pesticide application, evaporative
cooling (if applicable), growing media preparation and clean-up.

Plants require an adequate supply of moisture for optimum growth which is

affected by many variables. The amount of water needed depend on the area to be
watered, crops grown, weather conditions time of year and environmental control
system.

The main sources for irrigation water are ground water from wells, surface water,
drainage ponds, rain and municipal water.

DRILLED WELLS are a clean source of water for many greenhouse operations,
however, the water yield from drilled wells is usually limited.
GROUNDWATER is found in aquifers that are located below the earth. As rainfall
occurs, some of it evaporates, some of it is removed by plant transpiration and the
remaining water filters down through the topsoil and flows into sand, gravel and fractured
rock.
SURFACE WATER includes streams, rivers, lakes and ponds which are dependent
on runoff from adjacent land or from ground water springs. These are dependent on
rainfall rates that vary from year to year. It is subjected to contamination from sources
such as sediment, chemicals and plant growth.
DRAINAGE PONDS are usually a combination of rainwater and run-off. It is
commonly contain fertilizers or other agricultural chemicals. Because of the sizr and lack
of aeration, biological conditions such as algal growth may be a concern.
RAINWATER can be collected from greenhouses or building roofs without
contacting the ground and held in a concrete cistern or other holding tank.
MUNICIPAL WATER includes water supplied by city, country or municipal. Either
ground, rain and/or surface water may be used. The cost and quality are typically high
since much of the water is for residential use and drinking water and is treated

Sources:
 ORSON W. ISRAELSON, Ph.D.” IRRIGATION PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES.”
 BARTOK.J.W.,JR. 2009.”SIZING THE GREENHOUSE WATER SYSTEM.”
 http:ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/greenhouse-best-management-practices-
bmp-manual/water-supply-sources/retrieve.sept.8,2019

CEng 148: Water Resources Engineering 1