Irrigation Outlets

To have equitable distribution of water to the cultivators, irrespective of their location vis-avis a distributary, a hydraulic structure is provided called as an outlet. Outlet is al also called mogha in Pakistan and turn out in U.S.A and other countries. In other words, An outlet is a hydraulic. structure conveying irrigation water from a state-owned Distributary/minor to a privately owned water course.

Essential requirements of an outlet

i) An outlet must be strong and be without movable parts to minimize tampering. ii) Tampering by cultivators should be readily detectable. iii) The outlet must carry its fair share of silt from the parent channel. iv) It should be able to work with a small working head. (With higher working heads the water levels required in the parent channels will be higher, thereby increasing the cost of the system. High heads will also increase the risk of waterlogging.) v) The total cost of installation and maintenance should be as low as possible.

Non-modular outlet
It is one in which the discharge depends upon the difference of head in the water course and the parent channel. This means that a cultivator can draw more discharge of water illegally by lowering the water level in the water course.

Semi-modular outlet
It is an outlet in which the discharge depends upon the water level in the distributary only and is independent of the water level in the water course. This is achieved by producing a hydraulic jump within the flume length.

Modular outlet or rigid module

It is an outlet in which the discharge is independent of the levels in the distributary as well as the water course. It can be fixed for any designed value. This is achieved by creating a free vortex and destroying any

Characteristics of outlets
Flexibility Sensitivity Efficiency Minimum modular head Modular limits Modular range Coefficient of discharge Silt drawing capacity Adjustability Immunity from tampering

Flexibility
The capacity of an outlet to vary its discharge with a change in the discharge of the distributary is indicated by flexibility. It is defined as the ratio of the rate of change of outlet discharge to the rate of change of discharge in the parent channel.

m = coefficient of discharge equation for distributary n = coefficient of discharge equation for outlet

For trapezoidal channel with 1/2:1 side slopes, n = 5/3, * For a weir i.e. open flume type of outlet, m = 3/2, hence * For orifice type flume m =3/2, If,

For a rigid module, F will be zero. For the proportional outlet, F=1 D/H is known as the setting

Sensitivity
This is defined as the ratio of the rate of change of discharge of an outlet to rate of change in the level of distributary water surface, i.e. normal depth of channel.

Efficiency
This is defined as the ratio of the head recovered to the head put in.

Minimum modular head

The necessary minimum difference of water level or pressure between supply and delivery sides to enable a module or semi-module to work as designed.

Modular limits
The extreme values of any factor at which a module or semi-module ceases to be capable of acting.

Modular range
The range of conditions between the modular limits within which a module or semi-module works as designed.

Coefficient of discharge
In order to use the outlet as a measuring device the coefficient of discharge should remain constant in the full modular range.

Silt drawing capacity

It is vital that the outlets draw their fair share of silt., to avoid silting or scouring and consequently remodelling of the distributary. In a distribution system the absorption losses are generally taken as 10 % and therefore the silt conducting power of outlets should be around 110 % as compared to 100 % of the distributary, to enable them to draw their proportional share.

Adjustability
The adjustment of modules may range from complete reconstruction to the provision of some mechanical arrangement

Immunity from tampering

There is a tendency on the part of the cultivators to draw more than their lawful share of water by tampering with the outlets. This is sometimes due to canal supplies being less than the actual requirement of the cultivated area. Therefore the outlets must be tamper proof. Most of the semi-modules depending on the formation of hydraulic jump are quite tamper proof.