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Laboratory Exercise No. 6

Irrigation Water Distribution and Control Structures

The surface irrigation methods that were discussed thus far such as basin, furrow, border
strip, sprinkler, and drip are focused at the water use level, that is, the individual irrigated fields.
As a group of irrigation techniques, they compose just one component of a much larger
network of facilities diverting and delivering water from the source to the fields. A complete
irrigation system is composed of: (a) an intake or a pumping system; (b) a conveyance system;
(c) a distribution system; (d) a field application or water use system; and (e) a drainage system
(Figure 1).

Source: Brouwer, Goffeau, & Heibloem (1985)

Figure 1. Irrigation system

The intake structure or pumping station directs water from the source of water supply
such as a reservoir or a river into the irrigation system. The conveyance system transports water
from the intake structure or pumping station up to the field ditches. The distribution system diverts
water from the field ditches to the irrigated fields. The field application system applies water to
the root zone. The drainage system removes excess water from the fields caused by heavy
rainfall and/or excessive irrigation application.
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These components must function conjunctively as a system toward achieving the

ultimate objective of producing maximum crop yield at minimum cost. Production cost can be
minimized through high application efficiency, which in turn, is a function of a well-designed and
effective irrigation system.

In this laboratory exercise, different irrigation water distribution and control structures are
enumerated. There are no descriptions and figures of these structures included as these are the
expected outputs in this endeavor.

After thorough and diligent study of this module, you should be able to draw to scale the
different irrigation water distribution and control structures, and identify their different structural
components.

Qty Description/Specification

1 pc Scientific calculator
1 set Technical pencil
1 pc Technical pen
1 pc Drawing board
1 pc T-square
1 set Triangles
1 pc Ruler/scale ruler
1 lot Bond paper
1 lot Tracing paper

Step 1 From the world-wide-web or elsewhere, gather information, sketches and pictures
of the different irrigation water distribution and control structures.

These structures include:

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A. Intake structure or pumping system

 Dam
 Spillway
 Sluice
 Pumping station

B. Conveyance and distribution systems

 Open channel (trapezoidal, rectangular and triangular)

 Grassed waterway
 Drop or chute
 Division box
 Turnout
 Check dam
 Culvert
 Inverted siphon

C. Field application system

 Diversion head gate

 Flume
 Weir
 Spile

D. Drainage system

 Tile drain
 Groundwater recharge basin

Step 2 On an ordinary bond paper, draw all of the above structures using technical
pencils, then trace them on a tracing paper using ink.

In the drawing, label the different structural components including measurements, if any.

Step 3 Blueprint the tracing papers.

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Due Date: ASAP but not later than ____________________________________.

Penalty for Late Submission: 5 points deduction per day of delay

The blueprints of the different irrigation water distribution and control structures shall be
submitted as the outputs in this laboratory exercise. Brief descriptions of each shall be included,
which can be handwritten on short bond papers.

(Draw conclusions as to the things you have learned and/or experienced out of this exercise.)
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Brouwer, C., Goffeau, A. & Heibloem, M. (1985). Irrigation water Management: Training Manual
No. 1 - Introduction to irrigation. Retrieved from
http://www.fao.org/docrep/R4082E/r4082e06.htm

Gajengi, D. (2011). Types of irrigation schemes and methods of field water application. Retrieved
from https://www.scribd.com/doc/60019184/Types-of-Irrigation-Schemes-and-Methods-
of-Field-Water-Application

International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. (n.d). ICID [Logo]. Retrieved from
https://icid2019.com/international-commision-on-irrigation-and-drainage/

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. (n.d). NASEM [Logo]. Retrieved
from http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/biso/SS/index.htm

Sabia Landscaping and Tree Service. (n.d). SLTS [Logos]. Retrieved from
http://www.sabialandscaping.com/landscaping/seasonal-yard-garden-services/ and
http://www.sabialandscaping.com/irrigation-drainage/