Irrigation

L7019K Geohydrologi
Oral presentation
Cesar Fernando Garnier

Irrigation

Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil. It is

usually used to assist the growing of crops in dry areas and
during periods of inadequate rainfall.
Irrigation canal: An irrigation channel is a conduit that
transports water in order to irrigate agricultural land.

Irrigation is often studied together withdrainage,

which is the natural or artificial removal of surface
and sub-surface water from a given area.

Difference between drainage and

irrigation:

Irrigation channels are designed to supply water in land,

drainage channels are designed to remove a specific amount
of water in land

Irrigation systems are often designedto

maximize efficiencies and minimize labour
and capital requirements.

Types of irrigation systems:

Wild flooding
Drip irrigation (localized irrigation)
Splinker irrigation
Center Pivot

Furrow irrigation
Sub-irrigation

Boarder - strip irrigation

Basin irrigation

Surface irrigation
methods

Wild Flooding
Drip Irrigation (localized irrigation)

Wild Flooding
Splinker System (center pivot)

Furrow Irrigation

Border Strip Irrigation

Basin Irrigation

Compatibility of the irrigation systems:

The irrigation system for a field or a farm must be

compatible with the other existing farm operations, such
as land preparation, cultivation, and harvest.

Level of Mechanization
Size of Fields
Cultivation
Pest Control
Topographic Limitations.

Restrictions on irrigation system selection due to

topography include:

Groundwater levels
The location and relative elevation of the water source,
Field boundaries,
Acreage in each field,
The location of roads
Power and water lines and other obstructions,
The shape and slope of the field

Sources of irrigation water

Sources of irrigation water can be groundwater

extracted fromspringsor by usingwells, surface
water withdrawn fromrivers,lakesorreservoirsor
non-conventional sources liketreated
wastewater,desalinated waterordrainage water.

Hydrological cycle

Ground water resources

Ground water resources

Exhaustible and unevenly available.
Ground water > surface water (biological
characteristics. Ground water < surface water
(chemical characteristics).
Evaporation from underground reservoirs is
much less
Ground water source has indefinite life (if
properly managed).
Ground water is generally of uniform
temperature and mineral quality and is free of
suspended impurities.

Irrigation Salinity

THANK YOU

References:
Asawa, G.L., 2005. Irrigation and Water Resources
Engineering. 623
C. Brouwer. Irrigation Water Management: Irrigation
Methods. FAO Land and Water Development Division
http://www.fao.org/docrep/
Methods & Techniques of Irrigation
http://www.aboutcivil.org/methods-of-irrigation.html
Cynthia Podmore, 2009. Irrigation salinity causes and
impacts. Primefact 937. 4.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__
data/assets/pdf_file/0018/310365/Irrigation-salinity-causes-andimpacts.pdf
S. Siebert, J. Burke, J.M. Faures, K. Frenken, J. Hoogeveen, P. Dll,
and F.T. Portmann, 2010. Groundwater use for irrigation a
global inventory. Hydrology and earth system sciences. 18.