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Irrigation
System Plans
and Design
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Irrigation
Systems
 What is Irrigation System?

An irrigation system is a method or infrastructure used to provide

water to crops in agricultural fields. It helps in supplementing natural
rainfall
. by delivering water directly to the plant’s root zones. The
system typically involves the use of pipes, channels, pumps, sprinklers
or drip emitters to distribute water efficiently and effectively across the
cultivated area. The main purpose of an irrigation system is to ensure
that crops receive adequate moisture for their growth, even in areas
with limited rainfall or during dry seasons. It plays a vital role in
maintaining crop health, optimizing yield, and supporting sustainable
agricultural practices.
 Irrigation system
Water required by crops is supplied by nature in the form of precipitation,
but when it becomes scarce or its distribution does not coincide with
demand
.
peaks, it is then necessary to supply it artificially, by irrigation.
Several irrigation methods are available, and the selection of one depends on
factors such as water availability, crop, soil characteristics, land topography,
and associated cost. Proper design of an irrigation system requires that the
pumping system precisely match to the irrigation distribution system so that
the pressure and flow rate required can be efficiently provided by the
pumping system. The energy required to pump water is determined by the
total dynamic head (water lift, pipe friction, system pressure, etc.), the water
flow rate desired and the pumping system's efficiency.
 Irrigation water management involves determining when to
irrigate, the amount of water to apply at each irrigation event
and during each stage of plant, and operating and maintaining
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the irrigation system. The main management objective is to
manage the production system for profit without
compromising environment and in agreement with water
availability. A major management activity involves irrigation
scheduling or determining when and how much water to
apply, considering the irrigation method and other field
characteristics. .
FUNCTIONS OF FARM IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

The primary function of farm irrigation systems is to supply crops with irrigation water in
the quantities and at the time it is needed. Specific function includes:
1. Diverting
. water from the water source.
2. Conveying it to individual fields within the farm.
3. Distributing it within each field.
4. Providing a means for measuring and regulating flows.

Other functions of farm irrigation system include crop and soil cooling, protecting
crops from frost damage, delaying fruit and bud development, and controlling wind erosion,
providing water for seed germination, application of chemicals, and land application of
wastes.
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Methods of
Irrigation
 Methods of Irrigation.

There are five basic methods of irrigation (flooding,

furrow
. irrigation, trickle, sprinkling, and sub irrigation).
Numerous subclasses exist within each of these basic
methods. You’ll learn all the above mentioned irrigation
methods in details here.
 1. Wild Flooding.

This method of irrigation consists in turning the water onto natural slopes
without much control or prior preparation.
It. is usually waste of water, and unless the land is naturally smooth, the
resulting irrigation will be quite uneven.
Wild flooding is used mainly for pastures and fields of native hay on steep
slopes where abundant water is available and crop values do not warrant
more expensive preparations.
Controlled flooding may be accomplished from held ditches or by use of
borders, checks, or basins. Flooding from field ditches is often adaptable to
lands with topography too irregular for other flooding methods.
It is relatively inexpensive because it requires minimum of preparation.
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 2. Furrow Irrigation.

This method of irrigation is widely used for row crops, and small furrows,
called corrugations, have been used for forage crops such as alfalfa.
The. furrow is a narrow ditch between rows of plants. An important

advantage of the furrow method is that only 0.2 to 0.5 as much surface area
is wetted during irrigation as compared with flooding methods of irrigation,
…and evaporation losses are correspondingly reduced.
Furrow irrigation is adapted to lands of irregular topography. Customarily
the furrows are run normal to the contours, although this should be avoided
on steep slopes where soil erosion may be severe.
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 3. Sprinkler Irrigation.

The development of lightweight pipe with quick couplers resulted

in . a rapid increase in sprinkler irrigation after World War II.
Sprinkler irrigation offers a means of irrigating areas which are so
irregular that they prevent use of any surface-irrigation methods.
By using a low supply rate, deep percolation or surface runoff and
erosion can be minimized. Offsetting these advantages is the
relatively high cost of the sprinkling equipment and the permanent
installations necessary to supply water to the sprinkler lines.
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 4. Trickle Irrigation.

Trickle irrigation is that method of irrigation in which water

(and
.
nutrients) are continuously applied at the base of each
plant through small plastic tubes;
virtually eliminates all evaporation from soil, deep
percolation, and runoff, and leads to very high efficiency in
the use of water. Because of low water use, soil salinity
problems are reduced.
The technique of trickle irrigation was developed in Israel.
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 5. Sub Surface Irrigation.
In a few areas soil conditions are favorable to sub irrigation.
The required conditions are a permeable soil in the root zone, underlain
by. an impermeable horizon or a high water table.
Water is delivered to the field in ditches spaced 50 to 100 ft apart and is
allowed to seep into the ground to maintain the water table at a height;
such that water from the capillary fringe is available to the crops. Low
flow rates are necessary in the supply ditches; and free drainage of water
must be permitted, either naturally or with drainage works, to prevent
water logging of the fields.
The irrigation water should be of good quality to avoid excessive soil
salinity.
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 Traditional Irrigation
Traditional approaches for Irrigation
have overcome the majority of these
issues. These old Irrigation strategies
.
are not yet outdated. India’s farmers
utilize these techniques to guarantee
appropriate seed germination, a
better yield of harvests and speedy
development of food crops.
Traditional irrigation is
known organic farming irrigation.
 Modern Irrigation

.
 Difference Between Traditional and Modern
Method of Irrigation
Traditional Method
. Old methods of farming.
Production rate is low.
Environmentally friendly
method.
Wooden tool equipment, Bullock
carts and others are used.
As fertilizers, natural manure is
used.
Morden Method
Advanced methods of farming.
Production rate is high.
Not an environmentally friendly
method.
Advanced tools and tractors are
used.
Pesticides and chemical fertilizers
are used.
.
Methods of
Drainage
 Methods of drainage
A. Open drainage
The open drains are easy to construct and maintain. The open drains are
generally
. employed for drainage of surface water in our country. Open
drains are very suitable for an area where rainfall is heavy and drainage of
more water is needed within a short period of time. Drainage channels are
laid on the lowest contours of the land and they are utilized for draining of
excess water from the land. The soils, having impervious lower layer are
best suited for open drainage. But this system has the
following disadvantages:
i. Wastage of land is the main disadvantage of this method as
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the drains occupy considerable land.
ii. Drains within the land hamper the cultivation practices.
iii. Soil erosion is more.
iv. The drains need repairing every year. As a result, cost of
cultivation is increased.
v. Weeds grow on the side of drainage channels and their
seeds are disposed off everywhere.
 Arrangement of open drains

a. Parallel system: This system is used where surface is almost level and soil is
uniform. The main drain may run at the center, fed by laterals in right angles. It is
the most desirable open drain system.
.

b. Mixed and random system: This system is used where land is not sufficiently
leveled; there are series of ridges and depressions. The land is undulating here and there.
Topography determines the location of main drain and the laterals. Depending on the
situation there may be more than one main drain located at different points. At
depressions small collecting ditches and from them small drains leading to laterals or
mains may be constructed. In the crop fields drainage type depends on the type of crop.
Several furrows may be confined into one grid and drained. If the plots are basins they
can also be grouped and drained to laterals and main drains.
 Closed drainage

The
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closed drains are laid underground. The closed
drains are desirable for a place where the land is costly.
The closed drains save the land, but it is very costly.
Generally tile drains, mole drains, pole drains and
stone drains etc. are used as sub-surface drains.
 1. Tile drains
The tile made of clay or concrete pipe or perforated steel pipes are
mostly used for tile drains. The tile is about 30 to 50 cm in length and 7
to 12 cm in diameter. The tiles are installed end to end in the field after
. digging trenches with 2-3 millimeter spacing in the joint. The drains are
usually spaced 1.5-45 m apart according to the type of soil. Excess water
enters the system through the space in between the two tiles and
conveyed along the gradient. Tile drains are grouped in classes
depending on the arrangement of tiles:

a. Parallel system
b. Grouping system
c. Diagonal system
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Reason for an
Irrigation Plan
 REASONS FOR AN IRRIGATION PLAN
• A project plan enables the designer to lay out the irrigation system in the
most cost effective way. The plan is used to generate a material list and to
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evaluate the anticipated project costs.
• The plan provides step by step information on system installation.
Information on crop spacing, sprinklers, pumping requirements, pipeline
sizes and lengths should be included on the plan. Pertinent obstructions
such as roads, trees, gas, oil, water, telephone or transmission lines must
also be indicated.
 • Specification, design standards and work schedules as set

.
out on a plan form the basis of any contractual agreements
between the installation contractor and the farmer.
• The plan provides a record for future reference. It can be
used for overall farm planning and identifies limits of
expansion potential.
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Essential
features of the
Plan
 ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A PLAN
• Topographic Data - the field shape must be accurately drawn
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showing pertinent obstructions, features and elevation details.
• Water Source Capacity - the water supply must be clearly
indicated showing location and available capacity.

• Depending on the water source, a well log or water license must

accompany the irrigation plan. Irrigation reservoirs also require
Water Management Branch licensing.
• Soil and Crop Characteristics - soil and crop limitations must be accounted
for to reduce runoff and deep percolation by mismanagement of the irrigation
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system.
• Design Parameters - soil water holding capacity, maximum application rate
and climatic data must be used to select the correct irrigation system design.
• Design Data - the nozzle selected, operating pressure, discharge rate and
sprinklers pacing must all be shown on the plan. The irrigation interval, set
time, application rate and net amount applied must also be calculated .
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Different
Design of
Irrigation Plan
 Check Basin Method

This strategy is an irrigation

. system type that relies upon
water accessibility. The
cultivating land is separated into
various sectors associated with a
small drain.
 Strip Irrigation Method

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The farming land is separated
into various strips. Such strips
are isolated by ‘med’.
 Furrow Irrigation

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Whenever crops are filled in
columns, furrow Irrigation
proves to be useful. It
expected to be used in
cultivation.
 Basin Irrigation

This traditional irrigation

. strategy isn’t utilized for
developing yields. A raised
stage, normally made of mud or
cement, is made extremely near
these trees.
 1. Surface Irrigation

Sprinkler water system is a

.
technique for applying irrigation
system water like regular
precipitation. Water circulated
through lines as a rule by a pipe.
 2. Sprinkler Irrigation

Sprinkler water system is a

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technique for applying irrigation
system water like regular
precipitation. Water circulated
through lines as a rule by a pipe.
 3. Drip Irrigation

Drip Irrigation system is a

.
procedure wherein water
courses through a channel into
unique drip pipes, with
producers situated at various
disperses.
 4. Subsurface Irrigation

. Subsurface Irrigation
systems, assigned a sub
irrigation system, include a
water system to crops by
applying water from
underneath.
 Thankyou 
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