IS : 8835 - 1978

( Reaffirmed 2004 )

GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING

AND DESIGN OF SURFACE DRAINS
( S~XWKI
Rrprirli MARCH l’)~)() )

UDC 626.860.4(036)

13UREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARC
NEW DELHI 110002

Gr 3 January 1979
 IS : 8835 - 1978

lndian Standard
GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING
AND DESIGN OF SURFACE DRAINS
Canalsand Canal Linings Sectiona Committee, BDC 57

Chairman Re$rescating
B. KHARE
SHRI !?i. Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation, New Delhi

Members
Da A. S. CHAWL~ Water Resources Development Training Centre,
University of Roorkcc, Roorkce
CHIEF ENOINEER Irrigation & Power De rtment, Government of
Andhra Pradesh, Hy B” erabad
DR J. PURUSHOTHAM( Altnnola 1
CHIEP ENOINEEH (D) I&ation Works, Government of Punjab,
Chandigarh
Dr~ecTo~ (CENTRAL
DESIQNE) ( Altcr~t~ )
Caler ENQ~NEBH ( IKRII~ATION) Public Works Department, Government of
Kamataka, Bangalore
CHIEF EN~INRER( ~URIQATION ) Public Works Department, Government of Tamil
Nadu, Madras
SR DY CHIEP E~Q~NEER
( IRRITATION) ( Allrrnd0 )
SWRI 0. P. DITTA Bear Designs Organization, Nangal Township
%~RI R. L. DEWAN Irrigation and Research Institute, Khagaul ( Patna )
DIHECTOH Irrigation Department, Government of Rajasthan,
Jaipur
DIR~;;;~\B & CD-I ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
DIRECTOR
( B & CD-I ) ( Altern& )
DIRECTOR ( B & CD-II ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
SIIRI S. D. KULKARNI Irrigation Department, Government of Mahararhtra,
Bombay
SHRI A. A. PA1 ( Abmtr )
SHRI K. M. MAII~IIWARI Planni&Commission, Government of India, New
. _.
Saul R. v, SURYANAEAYANA ( AUWkIt# )
SRRI GAURI KANTA MWBA Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
SH~I R. K, AWABWAL ( Altmat~ )

( Continued on pegs 2 )

@ Copyrighl 1979
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This ubliution is protected under the Indian Cwghr Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
rrpr$ uction in whole or in GUI by any zrtcau~ except with written permission of the
publirbcr &all be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under t’le uid Act,

.
18:8835- 1978

( Cotiinued from page 1 )

Members iiaprasenting
SERI G. H. RODRICK~ Fibreglasr Pilkington, Bombay
SHRI P. C. SAXENA Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune
SERI V. P. BEATT ( Altrrno(e )
SEORRTARY Central Board of Icrination & Power. New Delhi
SEZ~IR. A. SHAH Union Carbide India Ltd, Bombay
SSZRIS. K. KAUMCHAI~DANI
( All8mat~ )
SHRI H. D. SHAMfA Irrigation Research Institute, Roorkce
SERI K. T. SUBUD~I Irrigation and Power Department, Government of
Orissa, Bhubaneshwar
Irrigation and Power Department, Government of
Haryana, Chandigarh
SHRI B. T. b%VALLA Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHRI E. T. ANTIA ( Altsnrote)
SRRI D. AJITHA Srar~n; Director General, IS1 ( Ex-ofi& Mambrr )
Director ( Civ Engg )

Seer V. KALYANA~UNDABAM
As&tam Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI
 ISa8835-1978

Indian Standard
GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING
AND DESIGN OF SURFACE DRAINS

0. FOREWORD
0.1This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 21 June 1978, after the draft finalized by the Canals and
Canal Linings Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil
Engineering Division Council.
0.2 Drains are constructed with the object of relieving excess water from
agricultural and other areas and disposing of surplus water not required
for normal agricultural operations. The proper disposal of surplus rain
water is also essential to avoid its percolation down to the water table
which may otherwise lead to rise in the water table thereby aggravating
or creating the problem of waterlogging.
0.5 The drains may be natural or artificial. AS per accepted principles,
these are generally aligned along the valley fines between ridges. How-
ever, in some cases in order to reduce the length of the drain or to have
proper outfall conditions, the drains are taken across the valleys. These
are known as forced or diversion reaches.
0.4 At present the practices adopted in various States for planning and
design of the drains vary considerably. Most of these practices are
based on ad hoc decisions and in some cases on the recommendations of
technical committees appointed to examine problems in specific areas/
States from time to time. This standard is intended to lay down
general guidelines on rational basis for planning and design of drains on
a uniform basis throughout the country.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard lays down broad guidelines and principles for the
planning and design of surface drains for uniform application throughout
the country.
1.2 This standard is applicable only for surface drains in agricultural/
rural areas. This does not apply to the planning and design of drains
in urban areas, for which the practices are entirely different.

3
 .
18 : 8835 - 1978

2. TERMINOLOGY
2.0 For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall
apply -
2.1 Catchment or Catchmemt hen - The area from which a lake,
stream or waterway, and reservoir receives surface flow which originates
as precipitation.
2.2 Discharge - The volume of water flowing through a cross section
of a channel in a unit time. It is also called rate of flow.
2.3 Drainage - The process of removing excess surtace waters by
artificial or natural means.
2.4 Drain - A channel either artificial or natural for carrying surplus
surface water. It may also carry seepage water.
2.5 Capacity - The design discharge at full supply level of the drain.

2.6 Outfall - The point at which a drain discharges into another drain,
nallah or river, etc.
2.7 Sub-soil Water L&cl - The level at which the sub-soil or ground
water exists at a given time of the year.

2.8 Cross Drainage Works - Any structures constructed across or

along the drain like railway and road bridges, irrigation channels,
sluices, regulators, falls, etc.

2.9 Tidal Lockage - The period for which the discharge from the
drain is locked on account of the tide levels being higher than the fully
supply levels in the drain.

2.10 Dominant Flood IBIscharge - The discharge in the river

corresponding to the dominant flood level.
2.11 Dominant Flood Level - That stage of the river/outfall, channel
which is (a) attained and not exceeded for more than 3 days at a time;
and also (b) attained and not exceeded 75 percent of the time over a
period of preferably not less than 10 years ( see Appendix A for
illustration ).

3. CLASSIFICATION OF DRAINS
3.1 The drains are broadly classified into the following categories
according to the purpose for which these are constructed:
a) Outfall Drains - These are the main drains outfalling into a
nallah or a river from a particular catchment.

4
 Is : 8835 - 1978

b) Link Drains - These are branch drains draining sub-catchment

into the outfall drain. These are aligned along subsidiary valley
lines.
cl Field Drains - These are small drains draining individual or a
group of fields into the link drains.
4 Ditch Drains - These are constructed to drain the water by
connecting borrow pits along roads, railway lines, etc.
4 Cunnetfe - This is a small drain constructed in the bed of main
drain at a level lower than the normal bed levels of the main
drain for carrying non-monsoon/seepage discharge without allow-
ing it to spread across the entire section of the main drain.
f 1 Seepage Drains - These are constrllcted along the canals to
collect the seepage water from the canal embankments and to
drain it either directly into a natural outfall or into a carrier
drain.

4. ALIGNMENT OF DRAINS
4.1 The drains should generally follow the drainage line, that is the
lowest valley line. As far as possible the alignment of the main or
outfall drain should be in the centre of the area to be drained. If the
alignment crosses any depressions, ponds or marshes, the drain should not
pass through these, as apart from the difficulties in excavation, it affects
the hydraulic performance of the drain. In such cases, it is preferable to
take the drain away from the depression or pond, and suitably connect
it to the drain if it is required to drain the pond or depression.
4.2 In selecting alignments, care should be taken to see that as far as
possible these db not pass through village habitation. In the forced
reaches, care should be taken to see that the embankments of the drains
are not of an excessive height in order to minimize the danger of flooding
in the event of breaches in the embankments.
4.3 As far as possible, the alignment of the drain should be such that
the full supply level is below the natural surface level.

5. CAPACITY/DESIGN DISCHARGE OF DRAINS

5.1 Normally the cut sections of the drains are provided to accommodate
the design discharge where drains follow natural valley lines. In such
cases, no embankments should be provided along the drain so as to
allow free Aow of water from the surrounding areas. Wherever embank-
ments are necessary ior accommodating a portion of the design discharge
or where disposal of excavated soil will be very costly, large gaps should
be provided in the embankments on either side SO as to allow unrestricted
inflows, and in case of incidence of discharges higher than the channel

5
 IS : 8835 - 1978

capacity, the water should spill over the area and return to the channel
freely when the discharge in it recedes. In the forced or diversion
reaches, embankments on both sides are, however, provided as the
design discharge cannot be accommodated within the cut section of the
drain. However, even in such cases attempts should be made by
selecting a proper alignment to keep the height of the embankments to
the minimum. In such cases, inlets of adequate size should be provided
in the embankments to admit the water from surrounding areas.

5.2 &tea&y of Rainfall - Analysis of the storm rainfall throughout

the country indicates that generally the duration of the storm is about
3 days. Therefore, for design of the drains, a storm rainfall of 3 day
duration should be taken.

5.3 Design Frequency of Rainfall - In fixing the design capacity of

the drain the following factors have to be taken into account:

4 Economics - Drains of a bigger size or catering for a rainfall of

infrequent occurrence prove to be costly compared to the benefits.
Drains are never designed to cater for the worst conditions. In
other words, in anyidrainage project, occurrence of damage at
periodical intervals is to be accepted.
b) Performance - The experience indicates that drains of a bigger
size tend to dqteriorate fast, as these are not required to carry
the design discharge frequently. Consequently in carrying
smaller’discharge, drains tend to get silted soon. On the other
hand, drains of a smaller size remain in a better condition and
can occasionally carry higher discharges with marginal scour of
bed and sides and encroachment on free board.
4 Land Requirement - On account of small land holdings, bigger
drains involve larger land acquisition resulting in a permanent
loss of the cultivated land.
d) Design Frequency - Generally the drains should be designed for
three day rainfall of 5 year frequency. Studies carried out
indicate that 5 year frequency gives optimum ‘benefit cost ratio.
However, in specific cases requiring a higher degree of
protection, the frequency of 10 or 15 year can also be adopted.
Adoption of such higher frequencies will need to be iustified in
terms of the economics.

5.4 period of Disposal - The period of disposal of the excess rainfall

is entirely dependent on the tolerance of individual crops. Crops like
paddy can generally stand submersion for a period of 7 to 10 days with-
out suffering any significant damage. Therefore, in paddy growing
areas, the drainage should aim at disposing of the rain water in a period

6
 IS : 8835 - 1978

varying from 7 to 10 days. Based on experience the following periods

of disposals are recommended:
a) Paddy 7 to 10days
b) Maize, bajra and 3 days
other similar
crops
c) Sugarcane and bananas 7 days
d) Cotton 3 days
e) Vegetables 1 day ( in the case of vegetables,
24 hour rainfall will have to be
drained in 24 hours )

5.5 Run-Off - Run-off coefficient depends on the type of soil, crops,

general topographical conditions like land slopes, etc. In plain areas, the
run-off percentage is generally of the order of 15 to 20. In semi-hilly
areas the percentage may be higher. Until precise data becomes avail-
able, the following run-off coefficients for different soils are recommended
for plain areas:
a) Loam, lightly cultivated or covered 0’40
b) Loam, largely cultivated and suburbs
with gardens, lawns, macademized 0.30
roads
c) Sandy soils, light growth o-20
d) Parks, lawns, meadows, gardens, 0.05 - 0.20
cultivated area
e) Plateaus lightly covered 0.70
f ) Clayey soils stiff and bare and clayey 0.55
soils lightly covered

5.6 Run-Off for Composite Crops - In large areas, there are often
different types of crops grown. In such cases, the field anti link drains
can be designed on the basis of the crops grown in a particular area.
For the outfall drain, either a composite discharge can be worked out or
the total discharge can be worked out by taking into account the
discharged from individual link drains. As the area grows larger, the
chances of synchronization of discharge from the entire area become
less. As such, working out a composite discharge may also serve the
purpose. However, individual cases will have to be studied on their
own merit.

7
 .
IS :8835 - 1978

6. DESIGN DISCHARGE FOR CROSS DRAINAGE WORKS

6.1 Cross drainage works are always designed for a higher discharge
than the cut sections of the drains. This is mainly on account of the
fact that rhe damage caused to the structures in the event of flows result-
ing from rainfall higher than the designrd rainfall, can be much more
than to the drain. Besides, any remodelling of the structures at a later
date for higher discharges will not only be costly but time consuming,
apart from involving dislocations to facilities like roads, railways,
irrigation canals, etc. The drains can, however, be remotlelled without
much dislocation. The present practices vary considerably.
All the cross drainage structures should, therefore, be designed for
a 3 day rainfall of 50 year frequency, time of disposal remaining the
same depending on the type of crop.
In fixing the waterways, care should be taken to see that afflux is
within the permissible limits.

7. DESIGN OF DRAIN SECTIONS

7.1 Velocity - The drain section shall be adequate to carry the
designed discharge and the velocity shall be non-silting, non-scouring
to be determined by Manning’s formula. The coefficient of rugosity ‘n’
shall have a value of 0.025 for earthen sections. Where the lined section
has to be provided due to local conditions, the value of (n’ may be
obtained from IS : 4745-1968*.

7.2 Discharge of the Drain - In order to obtain the discharge of a

drain it is necessary to know the mean velocity of flow as obtained above
which when multiplied by the area of the cross section of the drain in
square metres will give the discharge in ms/s.

7.3 Side Slopes - In selecting the side slopes for the drain, it will be
necessary to consider the kind of material through which the drain is to
be excavated. Generally side slopes of 14 horizontal to 1 vertical are
provided.

7.4 cross Section of the Drain - Although deeper sections of the

drain may be desirable, the width to depth ratio should be so selected
that the section is both hydraulically efficient as well as economical in
excavation. In the case of drains with embankments, the berm width
equal to the depth of the drain, subject to a minimum of 1 m should be
provided between the toe of the embankment and the section of the drain.
The top of the embankments should be 1 m higher than the design full
supply level.
*Code of practice for design of cross section of lined canals.

8
 IS : 8835 - 1978

Wherever, there is likelfhood of backing up effect on account of

floods in a river into which the drain outfalls, the top of the embank-
ments should be so designed that the flood levels on account of back
water conditions are accominodated within the section over which the
minimum freeboard, is to be provided.

7.5 Fixation of’ FSL at Outfall - Whenever the drain .is outfalling
into a river, the FSL should be slightly higher than the dominant flood
level. In cases where the topography permits, the FSL can be above
the highest flood level. However, if such a level results in flatter slopes
or in FSL becoming higher than the natural ground level, FSL at outfall
should be kept slightly above the dominant flood level. In such cases,
there will be backing up in the drain when the river rises above the
dominant flood level. Such occurrences bring infrequent and of short
duration can be tolerated, Care shall, however, be taken in determining
the dominant flood discharge and the level.

7.6 Hydraulic Slope - The FSL of the drain a3 far as possible should
be at or below the ground level. Where it cannot be ensured, the FSL
should in no case be more than O-3 m above the average ground level at
the starting point of the drain. Thehydraulic slope should then be deter-
mined adopting this stipulation and the criteria laid down for fixation
of FSL at outfall. The hydraulic slope should normally be such as to
provide permissible velocities as indicated in 7.1 above.

7.7 Tidal Lbckage - In the case of drains outfalling into rivers

subjected to tidal influence, the reaches of the drains which will be
subjected to tidal lockage should be determined. In these reaches
capacity of the drains should be increased to provide for duration of the
tidal lockage gradually diminishing from the outfall towards the up-
stream. For this purpose, it will be necessary to plot the dominant
tidal curves. The FSL of the dFains in such cases should normally be
fixed at mean tide levels. This will also be known ai cut off level. This
will be the level at which the drain will cease to discharge on account
of rising tide. The release level will be the level at which the drain
will again start discharging during the ebb tide. This Ievel will always
be higher than the cut-off level.

In major outfall drains, an outfall regulator should invariably be

constructed to prevent tides entering the channel, which will result in
silting of the drains. /

7.8 Falls - Normally no falls are to be provided in drains except in rare

cases where there is a sudden appreciable drop in the natural surface
leve! or where the FSL is likely to be more than natural surface level
without provision of falls.

9
 Is I 8835 - 1978

8. LONGITUDINAL SECTION
8.1 Collection of Data - The following data should be collected while
carrying out surveys along different alternative alignments of drains:
a) Cross sections at every 150 metres to the full land width.
b) Natural ground, design bed and full supply levels at every
150 metres.
c) Locations of inlets of link/field drains with related hydraulic
data.
d) Full data of all crossings like roads, railways, irrigation canals,
etc.
e) Representative soil samples to determine the probable stable side
slopes.
f) Ground water levels at a distance of about 2 kilometres.
g) Boundaries and slopes of the areas needing drainage.
h) Existing drains.
j ) Location and elevation of all depressions, drains, mounds and
ridges.
k) Location and elevation of possible inlets ( outfalls ).
m) Area that will drain into each part of the system.
n) Flood data of outfall river and study of backwater effect of
flood.

8.8 Preparation of Longitudinal Section

8.2.1 Fix outfall level considering the dominant flood levels in the
river/drain and the likely backing up.
8.2.2 Hydraulic slope to be determined on the basis of the ground
levels, permissible submersion and the outfall levels determined in 8.2.1.

8.2.3 Plot the natural ground levels, design bed levels, full supply levels
and the backwater profiles, if any.
8.2.4 Divide the drain in convenient reaches between inlet sites or
the junction of tributary/link drains. The capacity of the drains in each
of these reaches should be uniform. The capacity will change with the
addition of discharge from tributary/link drains.

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 IS : 8835 - 1978

APPENDIX A
( Clause 2.11 )
METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINING THE DOMINANT
FLOOD LEVEL

The record of gauge hydrographs of a river as available from 1962

to 1971.
To determine levels which were attained and not exceeded for more
than 3 days at a time. The result of examination of the plotted
hydrographs is as under:

Year Levels Attained and Not Exceededfor More Than

3 Days at a Time

I962 138’30; 137.20; 138’00; 135.75; 125.00

1963 137.85; 13685; 135.00; 132-00; 129*60
1964 138.10; 136’50; 133.75; 132.47; 124.45
1965 137.30; 132.10; 123.60; 121-00;
1966 136’4 5; 135-30; 128’75;
1967 13560; 133.10; 133-00; 130.45; 128.62; 120-15
1968 137.00; 135.62; 135.45; 132’45; 130’46; 128.60; 132-60
1969 137.60; 136.60
1970 139.30; 138’31; 138.60; 133930; 122%
1971 142.45; 142’30; 139.28; 128.55; 129‘00; 114’00

To determine the level which is attained and not exceeded for

75 percent of the time, arrange the above levels in ascending order:
Event Level Event Level
114.00 10 128.62
120-l 5 11 128.75
121*00 12 129-00
122.75 13 129’60
123.60 14 130‘45
124.45 15 13046
125.00 16 132.00
128.55 17 132’10
128.60 18 132.45

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IS : 8835 - 1978

Event Level Event Level

19 132.47 34 136.85
20 132.60 35 137%lo
21 133’00 36 137.20
22 133.10 37 137.30
23 133.30 38 137.60
24 133.75 .9 137.85
25 135.00 40 13pO
26 135’30 41 138.10
27 135’45 42 138.30
28 135.60 43 138.3 1
29 135’62 44 138’60
30 135’75 45 139.28
31 136.45 46 139.30
32 136.50 47 i42.30
33 136.60 48 142.45

There are-48 occurrences; the level that is attained and not exceeded
48 x 75
75 percent of the time is at order No. - 36 namely 137 20.
100

Thus the dominant tlood level in the river is RL 137.20.

12