Canal Falls

Canal Falls
The longitudinal slopes of canals (Particularly
unlined channels) are fixed as per sediment
transport capacity i.e. for non-silting and nonscouring velocity. It may happen that the
topography of the land on which the canal is to
be laid is steeper than the designed bed slopes of
the canal, resulting in excessive filling and high
embankments on which the canal is to be laid.

Canal Falls
This result in an increase in the cost of
construction and also the differential head i.e.
the difference between the ground water table
and the water level in the canal may cause
excessive seepage which results in water logging.

Canal Falls

Canal Falls
To avoid this, the bed of the canal is given a
sudden drop or fall at a suitable place, so that it
may run partially in excavation (cutting) and
partly in filling, depending upon the command
areas. The structure built to safeguard the drop
is called a canal fall structure.

Requirements of Canal Fall Structures

The basic requirements for the canal falls are:
Suitable Energy Dissipation Arrangement:
In the case of vertical falls there should be a proper
cistern to take the impact of the falling water.
In case of glacis and modern weir-type falls, energy
dissipation is achieved by the formation of the
hydraulic jump at the toe of the glacis plus friction
blocks.

REQUIREMENTS OF CANAL FALLS

Fluming
If there has to be a bridge, then a suitable amount
of fluming (constriction) is to be provided for
economy and for this a suitable u/s and d/s
transition has to be given.
Crest Level
The crest must be designed to maintain normal
supply depths in the canal u/s.

REQUIREMENTS OF CANAL FALLS

Seepage Path
To increase the seepage path a pucca floor is
provided on both sides (i.e. u/s and d/s side)
and then the stone pitching is also done due to
scouring nature of water.
Low Cost
The initial cost of construction and the cost of
maintenance should be as low as possible.

Location of Canal Falls

The following factors are considered for the
location of falls
For main and branch canals which do not
directly irrigate the site is determined on the
basis of economy in earth works.
All the excavated earth is utilized in making up
banks.
The depth of excavation is known as the
balancing depth of excavation. A suitable site
will be where, the depth of excavation is less.

Location of Canal Falls

For the distributaries and minors, falls may be
located d/s of the outlets as this helps in increasing
the command area, and in improving the efficiency
of outlets.
The site should be selected keeping in mind the
requirements for a road crossing, as a bridge
combined with a fall offers an economical structure.
A regulator may be combined with a fall d/s of the
off-taking channels as has been done in
Bombanwala headworks on Upper Chenab
canal where BRBD canal and Rayya branch canal
take off.

Historical
Ogee Type Fall

Historical

Rapids
Sloping glacis were 1:10 to 1:20
Were successful
Phenomenon of hydraulic jump was introduced
to dissipate energy
Very expensive

TYPES OF FALLS
Canal falls can be divided into two general types
from the construction and energy dissipation
point of view:

1.
2.

Vertical drop falls

Sloping glacis type

Vertical Drop Falls

This consists of
(1) a vertical retaining wall,
(2) a cistern to take the impact of the falling jet and
(3) friction blocks to destroy the remaining energy.

They may or may not be flumed. In the case off

fluming, proper curves have to be given to u/s
banks.
The cistern element is that portion of the d/s floor
which is depressed below the normal bed level, to
provide a cushion of water to take the impact of
falling water.

Vertical Drop Falls

Sloping Glacis Type

Such types of falls are similar to modern weir
and depends on the formation of a hydraulic
jump at the toe of the glacis for destroying the
kinetic energy. For further reduction in velocity
friction blocks may be used, as for vertical drop
falls. Fluming may also be done in this case.

Sloping Glacis Type

Friction Blocks
To dissipate the energy more, after the cistern
element, the staggered friction blocks are provided.
The height of blocks is 1/4 of total depth of water on
the d/s side. Depending upon design and shape, the
upper portion of the blocks may also be pointed.
Fluming
Normally a canal fall offers a good opportunity to
provide a bridge or a canal regulator. Economy can
be achieved by constricting the canal width.