CANAL OUTLETS

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Introduction
 An outlet is a small structure which divert water from the
distributing channel to a water course. Thus, an outlet is a sort of
Head Regulator for the water course delivering water to the
irrigation fields.

 The responsibility of maintenance of the distributing channel and

the whole canal network lies with Government, while that of the
field channels lies with the farmer. The outlet is the connecting
medium for the two.

 Since the efficiency of a canal network mostly depends upon

functioning of the outlets and other regulation works therefore a
canal outlet should fulfill the requirements as
discussed here after.
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i. Crump’s Open Flume Outlet.

Q = CBt H3/2
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Type Plan of Open Flume Outlet for Disty above 0.6 m depth

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Outlet Requirements
 The outlet should be strong, with no moving parts liable to be
damaged or requiring periodic maintenance.
ii. It should be so designed that the farmer cannot temper with its
functioning and any interference from him should be easily
detectable.(sensor developed by Computer students, water level
low it alerts)
iii. Since a large number of outlets are fixed on a distributing channel,
the most essential requirement is that it should be cheap.
iv. The design should be simple so that it can be constructed or
fabricated by local masons or technicians.
iii. Outlet should work efficiently with a small working head.
iv. The outlet should draw its fair share of silt carried by the
distributing channel.
v. From the farmer’s point of view, the outlet should give a fairly
constant discharge. However, from the canal regulation point of
view, the outlet should draw proportionately more or less 5
Discharge with the varying supply in the distribution channel.
 CANAL OUTLETS
Types of Outlets

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Types of Outlets
Outlet may be classified under the following three heads:
i. Non-modular Outlet

ii. Semi-module or Flexible Module

iii. Rigid Module

Non-Modular Outlet
 Non-Modular Outlet. A Non-Modular outlet is the one is which the
Discharge depends upon the difference in water level between the
distributing channel and the water course. The discharge through
such an outlet varies much with the fluctuations of the water levels
in the distributing and the field channels

 The common examples under this category are: submerged pipe

outlet, masonry sluice and orifices.
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Semi-Modular or Flexible Outlet
 Semi-Modular or Flexible Outlet. A flexible outlet is the one in
which the discharge of the outlet depends upon the water level in
Channel, In this type, the fluctuations in the water levels of the
field channel dose not have any effect on its discharge.

 The various outlets in common use that fall under this category are
pipe outlet: Kennedy’s gauge outlet and Crump’s open flume
outlet.

Rigid Module
 A rigid module is the one which maintains constant discharge;
within limits, irrespective of the fluctuations in the water levels in
the channel and / or water course.

 The most common outlet that falls under this category is the
Gibb’s Rigid Module.
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Important Definitions
Flexibility
►

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(3)10
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2. Proportionality
►

(3)

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3. Setting
►

►
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4.
►

(6)

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► (6)
(6)
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5. Efficiency
Efficiency is the measure of a conservation of head by an outlet. It
is defined as the ratio of the head recovered to the head put in.
Less is the working head required for the functioning of the outlet,
more will be its efficiency.

6. Drowning Ratio
It is ratio between the depths of water level over crest on the D/S
and U/S of the module.

7. Minimum Modular Head

The minimum modular head or the minimum modular loss is the
minimum loss of head or the difference between the U/S and D/S
water levels which is absolutely necessary to be maintained to
enable the module to enable the module to pass its designed
discharge.
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Non-Modular Outlets: (Pipe Outlet)
 The most common types of non-modular outlets are: submerged
pipe outlet, masonry sluice, orifices and wooden shoots. Figure
below shows a pipe outlet.
 The pipe varies from 10 to 30 cm dia and is laid on a light concrete
foundation to prevent uneven settlement. They are generally fixed
horizontally at an angle to the direction of flow.
 The discharge through the outlet is given by
q = kA √H
K = coefficient of discharge, A = Cross-Sectional area of pipe,
H = Net Head = U/S Water Level – D/S Water Level
 The loss of Head, ‘H’ through the outlet is given by;
H = (Entry loss) + (Frictional loss) + (Velocity Head at the exit)
H = 0.5 v2/2g + fLv2/2gd + v2/2g
H = v2/2g[1.5 + fL/D] 16
 CANAL OUTLETS
Non-Modular Outlets: (Pipe Outlet)

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Non-Modular Outlets: (Pipe Outlet)
 As Discharge of the outlet depends upon the Head loss ‘H’.
Therefore the same could be increased if the water Crouse is
Desilted by the Zimidars or otherwise.

 Due to disturbance at the entrance the pipe outlet usually take due
share of silt. However, in ordered to increase the silt conductivity
the U/S end of the pipe is depressed making the pipe to slope
upward as shown in the above figure.

 As long as the Head ‘H’ remains constant this arrangement of

sloping the pipe will not change the Discharge of the outlet, while
the silt conductivity is increased.

 This type of outlet is generally undesirable.

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Semi-Module or Flexible Outlets
 In this type, the Discharge of Outlet depends upon the water level
of the channel and is independent of the water level in the water
Crouse. Following are the main types of outlet;
i. Pipe Outlet Discharging freely in the Atmosphere.
ii. Open Flume Outlet.
iii. Orifice Semi-Modules.
i) Pipe Outlet
 If the pipe outlet is so set that it Discharges freely in the
atmosphere, the Discharge through it becomes independent of
the water level in the field channel, and hence it acts as semi-
module.
 As the Discharge cannot be increased by the cultivators by
digging the water course. The outlet, therefore, worked well.19
 CANAL OUTLETS
Semi-Module or Flexible Outlets (Free Fall Pipe Outlet)
 The Discharge of the outlet is given as under;

Q = CA √2gh
 For the outlet to be proportional F = 1. Hence H/D = m/n Taking
n = 5/3 and m=1/2, the setting is equal to 0.3.

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The Scratchily Outlet
 This type of outlet is basically the same as the pipe or barrel
outlet except that at the downstream end, a 2 to 3 ft. square
cistern is provided. The D/S end of the cistern is provided with a
cast iron orifice to discharge the authorized discharge.
 If the orifice opens above the water level in the cistern, the outlet
acts as non-modular outlet. However, if it opens below the water
level, it acts as a semi-modular outlet.

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ii) Open Flume Outlet
 An open flume outlet is a sort of weir with constricted throat
and expanding flume on the D/S. Due to this, hypercritical
velocity is ensured and Hydraulic jump is formed.

 This formation of the Hydraulic jump makes the Discharge

through the outlet independent of the water level in the water
course, making it a semi-module.

 There are two types of open flume outlets

i. Crump’s Open Flume Outlet.

ii. Punjab Irrigation Department Open Flume Outlet.

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Orifice Semi-Module
 An orifice semi-Module consists of an orifice provided with a
gradually expanding flume on the D/S side of the orifice. The flow
through the orifice is hypercritical, resulting in the formation of
Hydraulic Jump. This makes the Discharge independent of the flow
conditions in the water course.

 There are various forms of orifice Semi-Module the earliest of these

being Crump's Adjustable Proportional Module (APM).
The figure is enclosed.

 The essential feature of the module is a roof block shaped to a

lemniscates curved with a tilt of 1 in 7, fixed by bolts. Other
features are similar to a flume regulator with a horizontal crest.
 CANAL OUTLETS
 The Discharge through the outlet is given by;
q = 4.04 Bty√Hs (SI) q = 7.3 Bt, Y √HS (FPS)
q = discharge in cumecs
Bt = width of throat in metres
y = Height of the smallest section in metres
Hs= Head measured from the water surface to the lowest point of
the roof block in metres.

 The minimum Modular Head, as given by N.D. Gulati, is

M.M.H. = 0.82 Hs – 0.5 Bt
For proportionality;
Hs = m = 1/2 = 0.3
D n 5/3
 CANAL OUTLETS
Symbols used in the Design

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Orifice Semi-Module

y
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APM Outlet

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APM Outlet on Lined Distributory

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Rigid Module
Following are the common types of rigid modules;
i) Gibb’s Rigid Module
ii) Khanna’s Rigid Module
iii) Footee Module
These outlets are used only Western Countries and is no more
practiced in the Subcontinent. Only Gibb’s Rigid Module was used in
some part of Subcontinent, which is briefly described as under:

Gibb’s Module
The enclosed figure shows the plan and the section of the module. The
essential feature of the outlet is an eddy chamber, semi-circular in
plan, round which water flows giving rise to a free vortex flow. Water
enters through an inlet pipe having bell mouth entry and is passed to
eddy chamber.

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Rigid Module

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Merits and Demerits of three Types of Outlets
APM Outlet Advantages;
i) Best type of outlet if required working head is available
ii) Most economical in adjustment either by raising or lowering the roof
block or crest
iii) It is one of the best type of outlets to adopt when set near the bed
level of the canal.
Disadvantages;
i) Costlier type of outlet
ii) Requires more working head
iii) Not suitable at or near the tail of a canal or immediately U/S of control
points where it cannot work as safety valve to absorb temporary
excess with a view to save the tail reach or control point from
flooding
iv) Channels fitted with APM (at 6/10 setting) silt up badly.
v) Waterway is either deep and narrow which could get blocked easily
or is shallow and wide in which case it does not draw its fair share of
silt. 31
 CANAL OUTLETS
Open Flume Outlet
Advantages:
i) Cheaper than APM outlet
ii) Does not cause silting above the work, except when low supplies
are run for considerable periods. The silt, as may have
accumulated, gets swept away during high supplies.
iii) Water surface at control point is relatively steady during small
fluctuations in supply.
iv) Useful in distributing the supply proportionately amongst the
outlets at tail.
v) Best suited for tail reaches and within 300 m U/S of control points
such as falls to prevent flooding of tail and control points, as the
outlet can overdraw.
vi) Low working head is required which means avoiding undue
raising of FSL level in the channel resulting in economical
construction of canal system.
vii) As proportional distributor, offers a control point with minimum
loss of head. 32
 CANAL OUTLETS
Disadvantages:
i) Adjustments are costly as they mean dismantlement and
reconstruction of one side wall, if not fitted with roof block.

ii) Being either deep and narrow it is easily blocked or is shallow and
wide, it is hyper-proportional and also fails to draw its fair share of
silt

iii) Capable of overdrawing if water level in the canal is raised.

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Pipe Outlet
Advantages:
i) Simple and economical to construct

ii) Lowest working head, 30 mm, required to pass Discharge.

iii) Suitable for small Discharges

iv) Draws fair share of silt.

v) Beast as temporary outlets or for use on new canals in the first

instance.

vi) Economical adjustment in reduction of diameter by fixing suitable

reducing socket. Increase in supply can be secured by installing
an auxiliary pipe for additional discharge

vii) High reusable value of pipe on dismantling of the outlet.

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Disadvantages:
i) Coefficient of discharge varies from outlet to outlet and at
different times at the same outlet.

ii) Non-Modular type of outlet.

iii) Discharge can be increased by deepening the water course and

thereby lowering the water surface level in it and increasing
working head.

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Design Parameters of the Three Types of Outlets
Description APM Open Flume Outlet Pipe Outlet
Discharge Q = CBt y h1/2 Q = CBtH3/2 Q = CA √2gh
Formula or Q = 4.03 Bt yh0.5 C= 1 d
2x105 f [L + 1.5d]
400f
Where ‘d’ is diameter of
pipe (cm), ‘L’ is p (m) and f
is coefficient value = 0.005.
Free fall, Q = 2.75 A √h
Submerged, Q = 3.54 A√h

Coefficient of C = 4.03 C=1.60 for Bt 6 – 9 cm C = 0.62 for free fall

Discharge (C) =1.64 for Bt 9 –12 cm = 0.80 for submerged
=1.66 for Bt over 12cm
Gullet or throat Base plate and roof Minimum Bt = 6 cm
width block are manufactured
in standard size 6, 7.5,
10, 12, 15, 20, 20 and 30
cm

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Design Parameters of the Three Types of Outlets
Description APM Open Flume Outlet Pipe Outlet
Setting H 1.0 to 0.6 depth of 1.0 to 0.6 depth of
distributaries Distributory.

h/D is 0.375 to 0.48 for

proportionality. H = 0.9 for
proportionality
Minimum 0.82 h – B/2 or 0.75 ‘h’ 0.2 H, minimum 6 cm. Submerged – Setting
Modular approximately. H = Depth of water generally at of Distributory.
working Head over crest Free fall – centre line D/S end
is set at a distance equal to
work below FSL in the
Distributory.

Minimum head required is 3

cm.

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 CANAL OUTLETS
Summary of Characteristics of Important Outlets

Pipe

APM

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COMPARISION OF THREE TYPES OF OUTLETS
APM Open Flume Outlet Pipe Outlet

Simple of Outlet Cheaper than APM Outlet Simple and economical

Sufficient minimum Working head required is Lowest working head
working head for minimum amongst semi- required to pass
modular modules. discharge.
Opted for head reaches Best suited for tail reaches Best as temporary
to feed tail properly. & U/S of control points. outlet or for use on
new canals in the first
instance.
Suitable for small Not suitable for small Indicated where
discharges. discharges. discharge is very
small.
Economical in Adjustments are costly as Most economical
adjustment either by these mean dismantlement adjustment in
raising or the roof block and reconstruction of one reduction or increase
or crest. side wall, if not fitted with in discharge.
roof block.
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COMPARISION OF THREE TYPES OF OUTLETS
APM Open Flume Outlet Pipe Outlet
Discharge drawn is Discharge drawn is Discharge passed is a
independent of water independent of water function of difference of
level in water. level in the water water levels in Distributory
course. and water course.

Draw due share of silt Does not draw fair Draws fair share of silt.
unless set below bed. share of silt unless set
at bed level of
Distributory.
Discharge can be Discharge can be Discharge can increased
increased by cultivators increased by 10 – 20 % by cultivators drowning
by inserting D/S side of by inserting a free-fall pipe by heading
roof block wooden horizontal lamina, water level in water course
plank, forming an air upper portion work as a and by increasing working
tight roof in weir and the lower one head by deepening the
continuation of block. as orifice, as also by water course or heading
heading up of water up water in the
level in the Distributory. Distributory. 40
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Example-1

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Example-2

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Example-2

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Example-3

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Example-4

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Example-5
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