2. Classification of canals
 

In this standard, canals are classified by their purpose of use, system and type as follows.

Classification by purpose : Irrigation canal, drainage canal, dual-purpose canal.

Classification by system : Main canal, branch canal, small irrigation and drainage canal, drainage catch,
diversion channel.
Classification by type : Open channel, pipe, composite structure.
 
2.1 Classification by purpose
(1) Irrigation canal
This is a canal to convey mainly agricultural water. Irrigation canals are further classified into canals
used exclusively for agricultural irrigation water and multipurpose canals for conveying city water,
industrial water, and power generation water together with irrigation water.
(2) Drainage canal
This is a canal for surface drainage and subsurface drainage from agricultural land and settlement. It
includes the canal to drain excess water from agricultural land in order to secure the growth of crops
and to mechanize farming tasks, and additionally the canal for agricultural land conservation to protect
agricultural land from water erosion, etc.
(3) Dual-purpose canal (for irrigation and drainage)
In principle, irrigation canals and drainage canals shall be separated from each other, however,
dual-purpose canals are ones with functions of both irrigation and drainage. There are canals which are
used for irrigation during the irrigation season and for drainage during flood season, canals which are
used as drainage canal for paddy fields in higher area and as irrigation canals for those in lower area.
 
2.2 Classification by system
Canals are classified by system into irrigation canal system and drainage canal system.
(1) Main canal, branch canal, and farm ditch of irrigation system
The irrigation system canal is classified into the main canal which is a core canal and conveys
irrigation water from the intake point to the irrigation areas, the branch canal which is branched off
from the main canal to distribute water into individual irrigation blocks, and the farm ditches which
distribute water directly to farm fields. Also, those of the main canals which convey irrigation water
from the intake points to the regulating reservoirs, major diversion works, key main canals, etc. are
often called headraces. The branch canals which are divided into secondary and tertiary canals are
sometimes called secondary canals and diversion canals.
(2) Main canal, branch canal, farm ditch, drainage catch, and diversion channel of drainage canal system
The drainage system canal is classified into the main canal and branch canal from the drainage outlet
to the upstream, and the farm ditch which drains farm fields.
Additionally, there are also drainage catches which are canals constructed along a contour line to
intercept drainage water from high lands for mitigating flood damage in the low lands, and diversion
channels which are used to discharge all or part of the flood water or irrigation water to rivers, sea, or
lakes for flood control, removal of sand and maintenance of canals.
 
2.3 Classification by type
 

According to their hydraulic characteristics and structural systems, canals are classified into open channel,
pipe, and composite structure which combines them.
(1) Open channel type
This is a canal system mainly composed of canals having a free water surface without hydraulic
pressure, and includes open channels, culverts, tunnels, siphons, etc. Even if a canal system partially
includes closed conduits under hydraulic pressure such as siphons, etc. it is still called an open channel
type as a whole.
(2) Pipe type
This is a canal system mainly composed of pipes (pipelines) receiving internal hydraulic pressure

2 
 
 
 
 
 
without a free water surface. Structurally, it is divided into the closed type of which all lines are
composed of closed conduits, and the open type which comprises stands having a free water surface
midway of the line or at the tail end.
(3) Composite structure type
This is a canal system which combines open channel type and pipe type. In some cases, a canal of
main system may have open channels for the upstream and pipes for the downstream.
 
Additionally, characteristics of and comparison among canal types are provided in “5.2 Characteristics by
canal types” of this technical document.

3 
 
 

3. Design of canal system

 
 
3.1 General consideration
 

Design of the irrigation canal system will be carried out after selecting a type from the open channel type,
the pipe type (pipeline), or the composite structure type which combines them based on characteristics of
the region and existing facilities, and on targeted water utilization plan.
The irrigation canal is required to have the conveyance and distribution functions for the irrigation water
from the intake point to the irrigated areas while satisfying as many requirements imposed as possible. The
characteristics of the hydraulics, structures, and water management vary widely depending on the canal
type. Therefore, it is necessary to plan them based on a thorough understanding of characteristics of the
canal.
The open channel type canal is composed of various canals (outlets, pumping stations, head races, main
canals, lateral canals, and secondary/diversion canals), regulating reservoirs, water level control facilities,
diversion structures, siphons, aqueducts, drops, spillways/wasteways, raking facilities such as screens,
safety facilities such as fences, and water control regulating facilities.
The pipe type canal is also composed of pipelines (main canals and lateral canals), regulating reservoirs,
pressure regulating facilities, pumps, diversion structures, raking facilities such as screens, safety facilities
such as fences, and water management and control system.
Design of the irrigation canal shall provide functions required by the plan for the conveyance and
distribution of water to efficiently provide adequate irrigation water based on the water utilization plan with
considerations of the natural/social conditions of the irrigated areas. At the same time, it is important that
the irrigation system is designed to secure functionality of the constructed facilities, rationality of safety
and management, and to be as economical as possible including the maintenance and operation costs.
On the other hand, design of the drainage canal system is planned to convey the rainfall run-off quickly and
safely from the irrigated areas to discharge points so that the ponding damage in the irrigated areas can be
kept from occurring.
Drainage facilities are composed of canals (main canals, lateral canals, catch drains, etc.), drainage
pumping stations, drainage sluices, confluence-diversion works, drops, retarding basins, raking facilities
such as screens, safety facilities such as fences, and management facilities. It is important that the drainage
canal system is designed to properly put together facilities in order to achieve the plan objectives for the
irrigated areas based on a unified concept covering from drainage inlets to discharge points so that the
drainage system can be as economical as possible including the maintenance and operation costs.
 
3.1.1 Design of irrigation canal system
 

Design of irrigation canal system follows steps described below after a thorough consideration of basic
requirements.
The water level of canal starting point depends on the location and type of the water intake resource, and
the design water level of the starting point for the conveyance is then determined. On the other hand, for the
water level of the irrigated areas, the location, the volume of water, and the water level are derived from the
elevation of the farmland, the configuration of the farmland, and the irrigation method, then the planning
for the location, the discharge, and the water level is finalized.
The effective head required for irrigation water conveyance is the line connecting the water level of the
water resource and the required water level at the tail end point of the canal (head). Based on this, the head
allotment for each canal structure is performed to achieve an optimal design of the canal system with
consideration of the conveyance and distribution functions of the canal, safety, economy of the construction
costs as well as the maintenance and operation costs, and environmental harmony with the surrounding
areas. Also, the pressurizing facilities shall be considered for tail end points at the higher land where the
water conveyance by gravity is not possible.
 
3.1.2 Design of drainage canal system
 

The drainage canal system shall be designed to determine the discharge and the water level at the
downstream tail end of the drainage canal for flood conditions and normal conditions by considering items
such as the land use status and the existing drainage network of the irrigated areas and the river basins
where drainage improvement is planned. The drainage method (drainage by gravity, pumping drainage, or

4 
 
 
 
 
both of them), the location and the water level of the drainage outlet may sometimes be determined by
external
conditions of the river at the drainage outlet, etc.
In designing the drainage canal system, it is important to determine the location and size of each drainage
facility based on these water levels. Particularly, for rivers flowing through urban areas, the downstream
flow capacity of the river is sometimes limited, resulting regulatory restrictions imposed on the drainage
discharge. For such cases, facilities that temporary retain portions of the drained water within the area are
sometimes required.
 
3.2 Basic consideration items for designing irrigation canal system
 

Basic consideration items for planning and designing the open channel system for the irrigation system are
the following.
 
3.2.1 General
The irrigation canal is required to secure the water level necessary for the irrigation, then to convey and
distribute the irrigation water required by the water distribution plan for each conveyance block to a
number of diversion structure points when needed. Therefore, it is important to select the water
management method that realizes the effective utilization of water and appropriate labor-saving controls for
the fluctuating irrigation water demand, including capacities to smoothly stop the water conveyance for the
improved conveyance and distribution efficiency, and to retain the lost water in the regulating reservoirs.
It is necessary to keep the following in mind as issues to be reviewed regarding management of the
conveyance and distribution of water in the design of canal system.
1 Determination of the water management methods including supply-oriented, demand-oriented, etc.
2 Determination of functions for the water level and discharge regulation, and controlling methods.
3 Figuring out the water travel time, and methods to save the conveyance and distribution management
water.
4 Methods to regulate the demand and supply of the irrigation water.
5 Proper allotment method for the diversion discharge.
6 The safety and the maintenance and operation of the canal.
 
3.2.2 Determination of water management method
It is necessary to determine the most appropriate water management method based on the relationship
between the water utilization patterns at the tail end points and the supply available from the water
resources. It shall be the conditions (specifications) of the canal system design that the method to supply the
irrigation water to the tail end of the water distribution systems shall be the water management method
which conform to the water use conditions at the tail end point and to the current status of the region.
Main water management methods are the following.
(1) Supply-oriented water control method
The supply-oriented water management method is the method which conveys the water under the
operation by the water resource side (supply side) in the open channels with the upstream water level
of restriction.
(2) Quasi-demand-oriented water control method
The quasi-demand-oriented water control method is the method where the water resource side (supply
side) conveys the water in the open channels with the upstream water level control or the open type
pipelines, according to the plans based on the quantity required by the water users at the tail end
points.
(3) Demand-oriented water control method
Under the demand-oriented water control method, it is possible that, mainly in the open channels with
the downstream water level control, the closed type or semiclosed type pipelines, the water users at the
tail end points determine the necessary amount of water to be distributed and receive the supply
immediately. Normally, this method is managed within the capacities of the water resource and
facilities, and therefore, no restriction is applied within this limitation.
Most of large irrigation areas in Japan are operated under the method of either the supply-oriented or

5 
 
 
 
 
quasi-demand-oriented (see Figure 3.2.1). In the case of the closed type pipelines, both of these
methods can be implemented by controlling the tail end points with the discharge control facility.
For the purpose of simplification and ease of use for the irrigation water management, the distribution
system canals beyond the lateral channels are more likely to have the demand-oriented water control
by pipelines. For this reason, the main channels which main purpose is to convey water are desired to
be the supply-oriented or quasi-demand-oriented type in order to convey the limited amount of water
from resources according to the plan, on the other hand, the composite type canal system is chosen for
the irrigated areas at the tail end points where the demand-oriented type is preferred by the water users
due to its high degree of freedom in water utilization. Therefore, consideration for facilities which
regulate both systems, such as diversion structures and regulating reservoirs, becomes important.
 
Farmers (multiple)
 
 
WUA/WUO (multiple)
Meteorological and
(lateral canal management) growth information
 
WUA/WUO Water resource
(information collection) information
 
 
Determination of changes in
quantity of intake water and
allotted quantity
 
 
Determination of the volume
to be handled
 
 
Outlet operation Water level control Diversion structure operat
mechanism operation
 
   
Generation of distribution
of river
   
Collection of monitoring
  information  

  Processing information

 
Figure 3.2.1   Flow and process of information in the irrigation water management 
(For the quasi‐demand‐oriented water control method)

6 
 
 

 
3.2.3 Water level and discharge regulating function and selection of control method
In general, the irrigation canal extends long distance and has many diversion structures. Since it becomes
necessary to secure the water level, and to control the rate of discharge at each diversion structure, the upstream
water level control method is often selected except for small scale canals. (Figure 3.2.2) While this method
has characteristics which enable the preferential intake in the upstream of the canal, it may cause problems
such as water shortages in the downstream areas and the long water travel time. Although there is a downstream
water level control method (Figure 3.2.3) to resolve such problems, cases involving such method in sloping open
channel systems are limited due to changes required for the canal structures and increased construction costs,
despite of its having superior features as a control method.
To mitigate those problems, the storage regulating method which is an intermediate method is currently being
developed.
Under the storage control method, as shown in Figure 3.2.4, the set water level is the water level that makes Vu
and Va between check gates approximately equal. When demand for increase is given by the
downstream side, the storage of the initial Va is appropriated, sequentially the upstream check gate operates to
open. Although this is a method which can be applied to the demand-oriented water control method. While this
has function of the downstream water level control method as a system, it is similar to the upstream water level
control method in terms of the canal structure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7 
 
 

 
  Actual discharge Q1
(supply operation)
(Intake point)
Controlling intake
quantity
   
Check gate  
Check gate
Non-effective storage zone  
Running Time
water level Upstream side discharge R1
 
Planned conveyance volume (demand)
 
Still water surface Lost water volume
(non-effective storage)
 
    Actual discharge Q2
( - diversion operation
(Diversion operation volume) Time volume)
Downstream side discharge R2
 
 
Figure 3.2.2 The upstream water level control method
 
 
    Actual discharge Q1 (supply response)
(Intake point)   Storage in canal
  (effective storage)
Continuity from the water
resource is required
   
Check gate    
Still water surface Check gate  
Effective storage Time
zone Upstream side discharge R1
Planned conveyance
Actual discharge Q2
  volume
(demand operation) ( - diversion operation
Running water level volume)
 
 
 
 
(Diversion operation volume) Time
Downstream side discharge R2
 
 
  Figure 3.2.3 The downstream water level control method
(Intake point)
Continuity from the water   Actual discharge Q1 (supply response)
resource is required    

Check gate    
Storage in canal
  Check gate
(effective storage)
regulator
   
   
  Time
Upstream side discharge R1
Non-effective storage zone
Effective storage zone  Planned conveyance
Running water level volume Actual discharge Q2
Sensor (demand operation) ( - diversion operation
volume)
Still water surface Intermediate
point
 
 
 
  Time
(Diversion operation volume) Downstream side discharge R2
 
Figure 3.2.4 The storage control method

8 
 
 
 
 
3.2.4 Figuring out water travel time of the irrigation water and methods to save the
conveyance and distribution management water
Since the canals of the open channel system carry free-water surface flow, the water travel time of the
irrigation water corresponding to the storage in the canal from the intake point to diversion point is required.
Although those who manage the irrigation water empirically figure out such approximate traveling time
needed for the irrigation water, it is desired that the traveling time of the irrigation water is figured out in
the planning stage in the future because rational and efficient water management is necessary to deal with
the agricultural business patterns that become increasingly sophisticated and complicated.
With the upstream water level control method, it is possible to obtain the necessary diversion volume when
needed by the tail end irrigated area by speeding up the operation with the time difference of the water
travel time to the diversion point. When the diversion is not necessary, rationalization of the irrigation water
can be expected by the same operation. In applying these operations, since the irrigation water arrives at
upstream diversion points faster than at the farthermost tail end point, and the conveyance of water
continues for sometimes even if it is not needed, the loss of the conveyance and distribution management
water would occur if the canal doesn’t have regulating reservoirs or other storage functions. Thus, in order
to plan the efficient operation of the irrigation water, it is necessary to have a comprehensive reviews
starting from the planning (design) stage for the water level and discharge control methods, and for the
implementation plan for regulating reservoirs, etc.
 
3.2.5 Controlling methods for demand and supply of irrigation water
In response to the concentration of the irrigation season and the time of use, it is important to have a total
irrigation management as a controlling method for the improved water utilization efficiency, which covers
the water resources (dams, head works), regulating facilities, and the tail end points, constantly focusing
change points of agricultural business patterns. This management may include developing annual water
allocation plans based on the agricultural business plans, checking and regulating change points of
necessary water volume based on actual status of the agricultural business.
 
   
Supply-oriented type Quasi-demand-orient
Canal water management ed type Demand-orientedtype
method
 
 
 
Water lever and No water level   Automatic check Automatic check (storage and
discharge controlling Manual check (upstream water downstream water level
regulation method facility level regulation) regulation)
 
 
Main channel water level controlling facility
 
Main canal water        
Fixed crest Non-powered Fixed weir Non-powered automatic
level and discharge Slide gate (including skew gate or electrical
weir automatic gate
facility weir, etc.) regulating gate
(facility example)
 
 
   
Diversion works Fixed-ratio Intermittent Semi-modular Intermittent Semi-modular Intermittent Semi-modular
type diversion diversion diversion diversion diversion diversion diversion
works works works works works works works
 
 
Discharge regulation
 
   
 
Weir type
  Discharge Weir type Constant Constant volume
Diversion volume On/Off slide control gate On/Off diversion volume diversion works
diversion overflow with discharge
regulating facility works gate and works and diversion
flowmeter gate controlling
flowmeter works function

Figure 3.2.5 Form of discharge regulation for main canal and diversion works

9 
 
 
 
 
3.2.6 Proper distribution of diversion volume
 

The relationship between the canal system of the main canal and the type of diversion works is very
important in order to properly allot the diversion volume.
To allot the diversion volume properly for the canal of the open channel type, it is particularly important for
that the water management method and the water level and discharge regulating functions are consistent
with the type of diversion works. To do so, it is necessary to consider items such as how the allotment and
controllability of discharge of the group of diversion works in the water management method should be,
and what to be done with the water level regulating functions of the main canal for that purpose.
The form of discharge regulation from main canal to diversion works is shown in Figure 3.2.5.
 
3.2.7 Canal safety and function of maintenance and operation
(1) Securing canal safety
When open channel type canal runs through urban areas or areas with dense housing by necessity, it is
important to fully consider safety measures together with reviewing the types of canal which include
culverts (including siphons) and tunnels.
And, as fall-back measures for unlikely events of accident, features are necessary along with proper
allocation of safety facilities such as net fences, safety ropes, screens, and traps.
(2) Securing functions of water management and facility operations
Since the water management and the facility operations become more complicated due to the trend of
long and massive canals, it is necessary to review the allocation and structures of operation facilities in
order to carry out the operations safely as well as economically.
Economical and efficient facility planning for the maintenance and operation facility shall be
consciously pursued in terms of cost effectiveness including the water management. Also, features not
only for securing the safety of the canal but also for reducing the cost of cleaning and weed control are
desirable in order to save routine work for the maintenance and operation provided by farmer.
(3) Securing safety of canal structures
1 The canal structures may sometimes suffer accidents such as damages/failures and breakdowns of
facilities. During design stage, efforts shall be made to secure the safety by measures including
effective allocation of regulating facilities such as escapes, spillways, regulating reservoirs in the
canal system in order to prevent such accidents and the secondary disasters.
2 When functions of all facilities are not balanced, the capacities of a canal system are constrained by
the least functioning area, therefore it is necessary to consider the accuracy and useful life as an
integral part of the canal system under the total concept.

10 
 
 

 
 
3.3 Basic consideration items for designing drainage canal system
Designing drainage canal system shall be based on the plan objectives established in the drainage plan and
carried out with adequate considerations for the following.
 
3.3.1 General
 

Design of a drainage canal system is basically performed based on the drainage plan planned and finalized by
efforts including the rainfall runoff calculations, flooding analysis, drainage diagnosis, etc. Since the drainage
planning is performed based on assumptions for the location, size, approximate cross sections of each major
drainage facility, the subsequent drainage canal plan shall satisfy these planning conditions.
In this manner, the feature of the drainage canal system design intends to secure necessary functions and
further to proceed with the plan supplemented with the social and economic considerations. Basic
consideration items for designing a normal drainage canal system are listed below.
1 Drainage plan and drainage objectives
2 Drainage cross section and revetment construction method
3 Consideration points on canal planning with pumping drainage
4 Canal safety and its maintenance and operation
 
3.3.2 Drainage plan and drainage objectives
The objective of the farmland drainage is to remove the surface water as well as the excess soil moisture.
The drainage plan is performed to drain farmlands and to improve drainage within the drainage system of
the wide area including surrounding urban areas in accordance with the development level required for
each land use district.
As such, although the objective of the drainage system is to drain the flood water from farmlands and to
remove excess groundwater, care must be taken since its development level and objectives may change
depending on the drainage project category.
Providing excessively large drainage capacity without adequate consideration increases the overall
capacity of the facility, thus resulting in increased maintenance and operation burdens due to a facility
beyond the development level for the drainage area. Therefore, it is important to balance the total system
especially in determining drainage capacity.
In addition, when creation of multipurpose farmlands is planned, drainage of both flooding and normal
conditions has to be studied. For that reason, determination of the planned flood level and the normal
drainage water level for the drainage canal generally has to satisfy reference values listed in Table 3.3.1.
Also, when the drainage canal route runs through urban areas, coordination with relevant organizations and
bodies are necessary, and considerations for the landscape, safety measures, and even resolving issues such
as traction of sediment and trash during low water level periods are required.
 
Table 3.3.1 Determination of planned water level and bed height for each land use of farmlands
 
 
Water level and bed height
Determination of planned water level Determination of bed height
Land use category

  The highest water level is equal or less than

the lowest field height (depth of flooding
The bed height shall be the one that can flow
down normal drainage discharge at the
Multipurpose farmlands or upland cropping
less than 5 cm is allowed). Normally, it is height equal to or less than the height of
areas
equal to or less than the height of fields culvert drainage outlets.
along the canal.
 
3.3.3 Drainage cross section and revetment construction method
(1) Design discharge
The design discharge for canals such as a simple gravity drainage canal can be calculated by

11 
 
 
 
 
multiplying the specific discharge derived from the runoff discharge at the downstream tail end point
within the drainage canal system containing internal drainage areas by the accumulative area for each
section of the drainage canal.
Also, the design discharge for the district where the pumping drainage is planned is lesser of the
maximum pump discharge and the maximum runoff discharge within the district, however, its
determination shall be done after adequate consideration of the result of the flooding analysis. Further,
while the unsteady flow analysis is generally performed for the design discharge of a wide area
drainage system, calculations shall be done, as a general rule, with assumption that the specific
discharges within the drainage canal system containing internal drainage areas are identical. However,
when applying identical specific discharge is considered to be obviously inappropriate, such as cases
where poor drainage districts are identified by the unsteady flow analysis and the modification is not
seemed possible, then the planning should be performed with appropriate specific discharge for each
one.
Also, since the discharge in the drainage canal may be beyond the planned discharge based on the
development objectives, conservation of the canal and controlling functions for such cases have to be
studied.
The design discharge for each section shall be, as a general rule, changed when the change reaches
approximately one forth of the planned flow.
(2) Designed slope
The designed slope of the drainage canal shall be determined to satisfy the planned water level
(limited water level) and bed height (limited bottom height) based on the drainage plan. And it shall be
finalized after efforts to obtain consistency of overall flow velocity conditions which satisfy the
limited water level and the limited bottom height, avoiding sharp changes where the cross section
changes, and allocating appropriate slopes to the main canals and the lateral drainage canals
considering prevention of sediment and scour. Additionally, economic comparisons shall be conducted
as necessary.
Also, for districts where creation of multipurpose farmlands is proposed, it is necessary that the slope
shall satisfy such limiting conditions for the normal drainage discharge as well, therefore whether the
canal can flow down the normal drainage discharge within the limiting conditions (normal drainage
reference water level, etc.) has to be confirmed for the canal cross sections and bed heights normally
planned by flood volume by the uniform flow or non-uniform flow calculations.
In addition to what mentioned above, considerations are required for items including the heights of
lateral and small drainage canals, their distances to the main canals, the bed heights of drainage outlets,
the water level conditions for the pump operation, and the water level fluctuation involved in on/off
operations of pumps.
(3) Revetment construction method
The revetment for the drainage canal shall be studied if it is necessary, and when it is necessary, its
scope shall be bare minimum. Additionally, the revetment construction methods and sectional forms
shall be determined after considerations of its economical efficiency including the land cost and the
maintenance and operation costs.
The revetment is required when stabilization of the canal slope surface, reduction of the maintenance
and operation costs, and decrease of width for the land required can be sought. The height of the
revetment shall be the water level during the 1 or 2-year-probability discharges as a general rule and
can be set higher for the following situations;
1 It is found advantageous to raise the revetment height after performing the economic comparisons
for the revetment height including the land cost and the maintenance and operation costs, etc.
2 The nature of soil may cause slope erosions, and
3 Locations subject to large swings of water levels such as vicinities of the drainage pumping station,
drops, and confluence-diversion works.
 
3.3.4 Consideration points in canal planning for pumping drainage
 

Discharge from the outlets of the main drainage canal leading to outside of the area is done either by the
river discharge with sluices and sluice pipes or by the coast discharge by river and sea works, and each of
them has the gravity drainage system and pumping drainage system.
The gravity drainage system only needs to secure normal flow down capacity.

12 
 
 
 
 
The pumping drainage often causes sudden drops of the drainage canal water level concurrently with pump
start-ups. Further since problems such as bias toward poor drainage areas and the pump overloads when the
pumping drainage capacity and the drainage canal flow down capacity can not be balanced, it is necessary
that the canal plan is balanced in its entirety.
For this reason, the following shall be studied to attempt securing the normal distribution of river discharge.
1 Appropriate size of the retarding basin
2 Control method of the pump operation
3 Line shape improvement of the main drainage canal, or enlargement of the water depth and cross
sections

3.3.5 Canal safety and its maintenance and operation

Since the drainage canals are, as a general rule, designed as the open channels, particular attentions shall be
given to safety measures during swollen stream periods. For the farmland drainage, the canal route is
normally selected within farmland, however, since there are many areas where housing is scattered
about, safety measures such as fences, guard-rails, guard-pipes, and handrails, become important.
The maintenance and operation of the drainage canals requires weeding, removal of sediment, etc., in
addition to routine maintenance and inspections, thus creating burdens on those who manage the canals.
Even for sections where considerations to conservation of the ecological system or landscape are not of
importance, mitigation measures need to be studied for reduction of burdens from the maintenance and
operations as much as possible.
 
3.4 Design procedure for canal works
 

3.4.1 Typical design procedure

A typical design procedure for canal works is shown in the schematic diagram, Figure 3.4.1.
Actual design process requires repeating detailed feedbacks within each study process.

13 
 
 

 
  Planning Start Investigation
     
Intake (water resource volume, location, Data collection topographic
planning intake method, etc.) map, aerial photograph,
Distribution (irrigation method, elevation of the geological map, land use,
planning farm field, diversion points, etc.) meteorological and
Catchment (amount of rainfall in the irrigated hydrological data, river
planning area, elevation, acreage, etc.) status, literature, site
Drainage (location of the drainage main location, society, natural
planning river, elevation, etc.) environment, etc.
 
    Site reconnaissance
Operation and management planning Study of irrigation and
drainage network
 
Determination of design
discharge and design water level
   
Selection of canal type and  
water management method  
  Water control regulation method and
diversion control facility plan
Design of canal system

Allocation of canal route structures

 
   
Selection of canal route Water level and Method to control water travel time,
Hydraulic design
  Studying structural flow regulation demand of irrigation water volume,
Selection of canal method and supply volume
design and aseismicity
structures
Rough design estimate    
  of construction cost    
Head allotment Regulating reservoir Type of diversion Plans for
plan works spillways and
wasteways
 
 
 
 

Harmonization with
Securing functions

Rationality of the

 
water control

environment
Economical
efficiency

 
required

Safety

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Is the plan
  appropriate?
If study needs to be repeated  
 
 
Survey and
geological survey
 
 
Confirmation
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3.4.1 Flow chart for designing canal works

14 
 
 

 
 
 
 
  Water use conditions of canal
  Site conditions of canal route
  Hydraulic and structural
  design conditions
Construction conditions
 
(Hydraulic design)
 
Preliminary determination of canal
parameters
Selection of roughness coefficient and
canal bed slope
 
Determination of cross section
 
 
Allowable flow If not appropriate
velocity
 
Water surface routing (calculations of
various head loss and energy gradient
line)
 
 
Required water If not satisfactory
level
 
Facility design

Structural design
 
Preliminary selection of
structural parameters
(cross sections, shapes, etc.)
 
Load calculation
 
Structural design (stability of
foundations and structures)
 
 
Determination of allowable stress
If not appropriate
Safety factors or
stress, etc.
 
 
 
    Notes:
   
Stability of structures
Functions of canal

1. Several alternative proposed routes shall be prepared by

   
Construction

studying on paper.
Economical

Operability
conditions

efficiency

    2. Rough facility design shall be conducted for several

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Is the design
If study needs to be repeated
Preparation of shop drawings,
quantity take-off
 
 
routes developed by studying on paper.
3. Study the following items from the view points of the
water control based on the preliminary longitudinal
sections.
(a) Study the facility operations when water conveyance
is started from the static (stop) state of the water
conveyance system.
(b) Conversely, study the facility operations when water
conveyance is suddenly stopped at the point of water
adequate?
conveyance with the maximum flow velocity.
(c) Study diversion functions and conveyance functions
during small discharge periods.
(d) Study the controlling functions of canal.
(e) Study allocation of functions of wasteways and
spillways.
(f) Others
End 4. Depending on the result of facility design, it is sometimes
necessary to repeat the study from the start of design of
canal system.

Figure 3.4.1 Flow chart for designing canal works (continued from the previous page)

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3.4.2 Concept to consider harmonization with the environment in the canal planning
Having heightened awareness toward the environment as the background, it has become necessary that the
agricultural irrigation and drainage canals, in addition to their original water conveyance function,
contribute to the enhancement of various environmental functions, and at the same time, to providing the
local resident with comfortable living environment by implementing canal developments which bring
various public interests and multi-faceted functions (see the example in Figure 3.4.2) as local resources.
Therefore, in addition to the water conveyance (water utilization) functions, it is expected to be important
to improve the understanding of management which recognizes the environmental functions.
 
 
      Agricultural water
      Tap water, industrial water
    Production Power generation water
      Fisheries (fish culture, fish farming)
     
Irrigation Rivers and water transportation
  water  
     
Water Living Rinse water
 
conveyance Fire protection water
function    

  Agricultural drainage
Drainage water Removal of miscellaneous wastewater
Stormwater drainage
 
Recreation area
Canal   Creation of water Bathing, fishing
  amenity space Landscaping
     

    Conservation of the ecological system

    Inhabitation environment of natural life forms
Environmental
  conservation
Water purification
Recharging groundwater
Environ-  
mental    
Microclimate control
function   Boating
Sightseeing
  Firework display
 
 
Festivals,
traditional events
 
  Environmental education
Culture, education
Place for art activities
 
Figure 3.4.2 Example of canal’s public interests and multi-faceted functions

16 
 
 

 
 
3.5 Consideration items for renewal and reorganization projects
 

In the future, among the agricultural water utilization facilities, renewals and reorganizations of facilities
will be increased due to reasons including changes in their useful life years and social situations, variations
in water demands, changes of agricultural business patterns.
In planning renewals and reorganizations of the agricultural water utilization facilities, it is important to
have the optimum plan after assessing the effect of the project, including assessment of the remaining
useful life years, the degree of degraded functions, the estimates of the costs required for the repairs and
modifications, etc.
Main purposes to carry out renewal and reorganization projects are the following.
a. Mitigation measures for aging and reduction of the maintenance and operation costs for the
facilities
b. Improvement in the water management efficiency and operability
c. Easier maintenance, operation, and repairs. (e.g. installation of double track canals and bypasses)
d. Reconstruction due to changed water utilization patterns
(Example: The tail ends of canal are converted from supply-oriented to demand-oriented in order to
respond to the changed water utilization patterns.)
e. Increase and decrease in the water demand volume, and improvement of water quality
f. Others
 
 
Reference materials
 
1) Kazumi Iwasaki: “Studies for water travel time in agricultural irrigation canal network,” The report of the
Irrigation, Drainage and Reclamation Engineering Experimental Laboratory, No. 21 (1981)
2) P. Ankum: International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage Fifteen Congress The Hague (1993)
3) The compilation by Active Center for Rural Environment Support: The Science of the Rural Environment
Support,” (1995)
4) Agricultural Structure Improvement Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: the Land
Improvement Project Plan Design Standard, Planning “Drainage” (1978)
5) The Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Reclamation Engineering: Irrigation, Drainage and
Reclamation Engineering Handbook, Vol. 2, Drainage, revision 5. (1989)
6) Under the editorship of the Disaster Prevention Division, Agricultural Structure Improvement Bureau, Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Rural Area Disaster Prevention Manual, edition for the Heisei 10 Fiscal
Year(1998) 

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