THEME:

GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

COURSE : Irrigation Engineering

TEACHER : Ing. Pavel Arteaga Caro

STUDENTS : Arguedas Portilla José Gabriel

Yurica Sandra Bazán Asto

Boy Picasso Walter Julio

CYCLE : IX
IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION

Surface irrigation (or gravity irrigation) continues to have significant importance in development.
of irrigation, not only because it corresponds approximately to 80% of the irrigated areas in the world,
but because it remains the most appropriate method. This traditional irrigation method has been
applying since the beginnings of agriculture.

It is a recommended method in areas with very gentle slopes where precision is not necessary.
carry out soil leveling work, which is expensive and can negatively affect the
effective soil depth.

The irrigation method is less expensive in installation and maintenance, and once the water arrives
there is no cost for water application on the plot.

Gravity irrigation methods generally require very high levels of water availability.
superior to pressurized irrigation.

They are very well-known risks that, in principle, do not create problems for the experienced farmer, but that

they can cause losses of fertilizers due to leaching and erosion, as they cannot be perfectly controlled
the doses of water.

They are characterized by water management based on differences in hydraulic load and their
convenient driving, above ground level, through furrows (for row crops),
puddles (for dense crops) or by ponds (for rice crops)

Water is applied directly to the surface of the soil by gravity or runoff. The water itself
the soil acts as a distribution system within the plot from the area close to the place of
supply, called the header of the plot, until reaching all its points. Finally the
water reaches the end of the plot.

At the same time, there has been a strong development of water management techniques in irrigation.
gravity, both in terms of agricultural exploitation and in transportation and distribution systems,
trying to maximize the benefits of irrigation and respond to conservation needs
valuation of natural resources.

Gravity irrigation has continued to be the subject of research for the improvement of processes and
irrigation practices.

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 IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

I. DEFINITION OF GRAVITY IRRIGATION

Gravity irrigation is a method that has undergone variations depending on the
needs arising in each area or region and according to the specific resources of each one
They can be carried out in multiple topographical conditions and different availabilities of
water thanks to the different types of surface irrigation and their variants.
Gravity irrigation involves directing a flow of water from a source.
supplied to the fields and applied directly to the soil surface by gravity,
covering the ground totally or partially.
VARIANTS
With slope
Without slope
On terraces
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Topography leveling needs.
Shallow soils.
Presence of the water table.
Irrigation method.
Drainage possibilities.
Possibilities of salinization and degradation due to cutting.
Terrace leveling.
Preliminary soil sampling.
Constant flow and/or volume.
Cost.
Possibilities of alteration of natural fertility.
Pre-evaluation of the origins and destination of the soil for countertops, works of art and
drainage loans.
Minimize artworks to the maximum: bridges, siphons, gates.
Sun orientation.
Type of crop to be implemented.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

a) ADVANTAGES OF GRAVITY IRRIGATION

The advantages of gravity irrigation, compared to other irrigation methods, are mainly
the following:
Low investment cost, if no prior explanation is required, and of
maintenance of the facilities.
They are irrigation systems not affected by weather conditions such as wind,
ambient humidity, etc. as occurs with sprinkler irrigation.
Water quality does not influence (except for salts) and it is possible to irrigate with
low quality water, not suitable for other irrigation methods such as localized.
They do not require energy consumption, at least since the water reaches the plot.
consume energy when it is necessary to raise it from the source to a lower level
that the plot.
Due to the essentially vertical movement of water when it infiltrates, it is very
suitable for washing salts.
The structures used to control and distribute water are usually made of
with low-cost materials and even made from the earth itself.
b) DISADVANTAGES OF GRAVITY IRRIGATION
The following can be highlighted:
Gravity irrigation systems usually have lower efficiency in water use.
water than those of other methods, although with adequate design and management it can be

achieve very acceptable values.

Since the soil distributes and infiltrates water, the amount of water infiltrated
it depends a lot on the characteristics of it that can vary
considerably even within the same plot.
Land with little or no slope is required and precise grading is required.
It is not very suitable for providing light irrigation, especially in sandy soils, where
the water infiltrates quickly.
The entire or much of the surface of the ground gets wet, so they will have to
schedule another series of cultural practices (clarified, paid, application of
herbicide or plant health product, collection, etc.) so that they do not interfere with irrigation.

It can cause alterations in the soil structure and hinder development.

the roots.

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Irrigation Engineering GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

In any case, there may be other advantages or disadvantages depending on the area where it is.
develop the irrigation systems, but whatever the situation, it can be accepted that the irrigation for
The surface is the most flexible (it allows changes in crops, systems, and flows)
applied, etc.) and economic.

II. FOUNDATION:

Gravity irrigation is a particularly recommended method in flat or level land.

very gentle slopes where it is not necessary to perform a soil excavation, which
it is costly and can negatively affect the soil.

Gravity irrigation is the least expensive irrigation method in terms of installation and maintenance.

In addition, once the water reaches the plot, there is no cost in its application.
water. However, it is the one that actually uses water in the least efficient way, even though
With proper design and management of irrigation, they can compete in efficiency with others.
irrigation methods such as sprinkler or localized.

III. TYPES OF GRAVITY IRRIGATION

The types of gravity irrigation are as follows:
Furrow irrigation
2. Furrow irrigation
3. Irrigation by furrows
4. Irrigation by natural overflow
5. Watering of tree pits
6. Care irrigation
7. Irrigation by spouts
Pond irrigation

Furrow Irrigation
It consists of channeling water through small channels.
(furrows) that carry it down as it descends through
the plot.
The water seeps through the bottom and sides of the furrow, through
what a part of the ground receives directly and the

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

It gets wet due to lateral infiltration or capillary rise.

The applied water does not wet the entire surface, reducing direct evaporation.
from the ground.

It is best suited for row crops (sugar cane, potatoes, corn, cotton, sorghum, etc.).
It is better suited to soils of medium to moderately fine texture. In sandy soils, the
The movement of water will be primarily downward with very little lateral penetration.
It requires proper preparation of the land, providing a uniform slope to
the entire length of the furrow

It requires more labor than other systems.

THE EFFICIENCY OF APPLICATION

It depends on the inflow rate at the head of the furrow and on the irrigation time.
The efficiency can be rated as good compared to other methods.
superficial.
With proper management, values of 60–70% can be achieved.

SCHEME FOR DETERMINING APPLICATION EFFICIENCY

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Advantages and Disadvantages of Furrow Irrigation

ADVANTAGES
It has great flexibility regarding the irrigation channel.
With contour furrows, the danger of erosion is reduced.
Pipes and siphons can be used to regulate flow.
Washing salts is easy and cheap.
Suitable for crops that require contributions.
By keeping the area between the furrows dry, irrigation does not interrupt the others.
labors.
Moderate efficiency application.

DISADVANTAGES

Excessive water loss due to surface runoff.

It is difficult to apply small doses of irrigation.

The salts can concentrate at the top of the banks.

Erosion risk in steep slope lands.

There is a greater amount of labor than other gravity methods.

Difficulties may arise in achieving uniform irrigation.

SEPARATION OF THE GROOVES

The distance between the furrow axis must adjust to the planting density of the
crop to irrigate, the type of soil and the machinery that will be used in the operation.
The main objective in determining the separation of the grooves is to ensure that movement
lateral of the water between two consecutive furrows soaked the entire root zone of the
plant, before it reaches depths greater than those anticipated in the irrigation and there are
water losses due to percolation.
The horizontal and vertical movement of water in the soil mainly depends on its
texture, so when making the separation of the grooves this must be taken into account
characteristic.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

To choose the spacing of the furrows and ensure their proper functioning, you can
use a soil sampler; if after irrigation dry areas are found between
the grooves, it's that they are too far apart.

MAXIMUM SLOPE ACCORDING TO SOIL TYPE

Soil Maximum slope (%)

Arena 0.25

Sandy Franco 0.4

Franco muddy 0.5

Clayey 2.0–2.5

Franco 5.0–6.25

LENGTH OF THE GROOVES

To choose the length, the following variables must be taken into account:

Economy
Irrigation efficiency
Size and shape of the plot
Type of crop
The labor required for irrigation increases as the length decreases.
furrows.
Short furrows require a greater number of ditches or supply pipes, making it difficult
the use of machinery increases the area that remains unproductive.
The furrows must be as long as possible as long as adequate irrigation is achieved.
efficient and adapt to the size and shape of the plot.
In excessively long furrows, there are losses due to deep percolation at the end.
superior before the water reaches the lower end and it is properly watered.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

SECTION OF THE FURROWS

The most common shape of the section is 'V', with a depth of 15-20 cm and a width of 25-30 cm.
wide. It is very effective for irrigating shallow-rooted plants (vegetables).

When the soil has a low infiltration rate, the wetted perimeter is increased with
U-shaped furrows, with a bottom width of 20-40 cm for vegetables and up to 60 cm for
fruit trees.

The U-shaped furrows have an advantage over the triangular ones since the latter, having a
wet perimeter very variable, a greater influx of water occurs at the upper end,
causing poor uniformity of irrigation.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Arrangement of the furrows

Normal grooves.

They are those in which the furrows are straight and parallel to one edge of the field, they adapt to all the
irrigable soils, with slopes of less than 1%, but preferably those with slopes
less than 0.15%.

Tracks to contour lines.

They are used on uneven or undulating terrain where furrows do not work.
rights. They are built on a predetermined slope and their direction depends on the
terrain topography. They adapt to soils with slopes between 2% and 10%.

Furrows in beds.

When the land has too much slope to make contour furrows, it can be done
an explanation of building cross ditches on the slope where the
furrows. Land can be leveled even on slopes of up to 25%.

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Irrigation Engineering GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Zig-zag grooves.

To increase the distance the water has to travel to reach the end it has to
it manages to reduce the slope, the speed of the water and increase the infiltration in low soils
permeable.

FEEDING SYSTEMS OF THE FURROWS

Irrigation ditches.
When the water supply to the plot is made through an irrigation ditch.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Siphons.
When it is supplied through a main ditch, placing siphons in it.
plastic or aluminum that do not harm the irrigation canal.

Short tubes.
The irrigation water is applied to each furrow through straight PVC pipes ranging from 1'' to 3''.
diameter and an average length of 1 m. They must be placed under the edge of the
irrigation ditch in which, maintaining a water height above the pipe, it can be
manage regulated flows according to the crop's requirements.

Portable pipe.
They can be made of aluminum, PVC, or polyethylene, and are equipped with evenly spaced outlets.
distance between the grooves. The exits can be simple holes of a diameter
determined, according to the flow to be obtained, or adjustable outlet gates
caudal.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

2. IRRIGATION BY BEDS
It consists of the use of parallel dikes that guide a
water sheet in motion as it descends through
the slope.
The land between two dikes is called tablar, band, strip or
simply melga.
This irrigation system adapts well to all types of
irrigable soils, but they operate better in textured soils
media.
The crops that are exploited using this method are
grains, alfalfa, pastures, etc.
It is highly efficient, but it requires good preliminary leveling work.

ADVANTAGES

Good application efficiency if the design and management of irrigation are adequate.
Low labor costs.
The Melgas can be designed with appropriate dimensions for efficient use of the
agricultural machinery.
Large flows can be used, allowing for a shorter irrigation time.
Once the plot is prepared, the setup for irrigation is cheap and easy.
Ensure a good washing of salts.
Low maintenance costs.

DISADVANTAGES

Precise leveling is required both in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

The slope in the direction of flow must be greater than 0.2% and not exceed 2% for
avoid erosion.
Relatively large flow rates are needed (2 to 6 l/s/m.)
It hampers cultivation and harvesting tasks.
Crops sensitive to aeration deficit can be affected.

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Irrigation Engineering GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

MELGAS FIELDS IN OPERATION

To operate the furrow irrigation system, the lot is first prepared by constructing
dikes or levees that control water within a specific area. Normally, they are carried out
planks for one or two lines of palm, and through them the overflowing water is conducted from the
irrigation channel towards the interior of each ridge, which moistens the delineated soil profile
per each melga. It is a system that requires less water than generalized flooding.
Figure 30 shows a diagram of furrow irrigation for two lines of palm, each one with its
respective water entry from the channel, either with pipes, siphons, or simply with small
gutters on the edge of the canal.

APPLICATION EFFICIENCY

It fundamentally depends on the management of flow rates and infiltration.

It also depends on other factors such as the slope, the type of soils, etc.
Application efficiency of around 50-60% can be achieved, and it may be higher.
according to the system's technologization.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

According to system operation, it is possible to achieve high application efficiencies and good
uniformity of irrigation.

WIDTH OF THE MELGAS

It is conditioned by the topography, the available flow, and the width of the machinery.
employ.
The cross-section of the furrow must be horizontal to ensure a distribution.
uniform across the entire width, that is, have a zero slope.
However, a difference of 2.5 cm is tolerated between two consecutive ridges or dikes.
The irrigation flow can limit the width of the furrow. If the flow is scarce, it is necessary to reduce it.
the surface of the furrow, in order to achieve covering it with water in a reasonable time and
avoid excessive losses due to deep infiltration at its upper end.
Whenever possible, the width of the furrow should be a multiple of the machinery.
agricultural less flexible that is intended to be used.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Recommended values based on the texture and slope of the Melga

Texture Pending Width

% Subways

Sandy 0.2–0.4 9-24

0.4–0.6 6–12

0.6–1.0 6

Sandy Limo 0.2–0.4 9–24

0.4–0.6 6–12

0.6–1.0 6

Clayey Mud 0.2 - 0.4 9–24

0.4–0.6 6–12

0.6–1.0 6

Clayey 0.2–0.4 9–24

PENDING OF THE MELGAS

This irrigation system only adapts to slopes within very narrow limits.
and they must be very uniform to achieve a good distribution of water in the
direction in which they flow.
At the head of the furrow, a channel or irrigation ditch is built from which one or several
anchovies. Next, the terrain will have a uniform longitudinal slope.
The advisable minimum longitudinal slope varies from 0.2%-0.3%. It can be up to 2%
in medium-textured soils and with crops of grasses or alfalfa.
In clayey soils, this slope can be increased, but it poses serious risks of
erosion.
In light soils, with high infiltration speed, it can be leveled with a slope.
zero.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

LENGTH OF THE MELGAS

It depends on the type of soil and especially on the infiltration rate.

In clay soils with low infiltration rates, efficiencies can be obtained from
reasonable irrigation with lengths of up to 800 meters.
In sandy soils, this length should be significantly reduced, reaching in some
circumstances to be less than 100 meters.
The volume of water also influences the length of the furrows: the greater the volume
corresponds to greater length.
The type of crop has some influence on the length, due to the resistance it opposes.
cultivation of water circulation: the greater the resistance, the shorter the length.

The available flow can limit the surface area of the melga either in width or in length.
As a general rule, it will always be cheaper to reduce the width.

Length values based on slope and soil type

Pending Length of furrow (m)

(%) Sandy sandy franc Clayey Franco

0.2–0.4 60–90 90–250 180–300

0.4–0.6 60–90 90–180 90–180

0.6–1.0 75 90 90

IRRIGATION FLOW IN THE MELGAS

The irrigation flow that should be applied to each furrow is given by the following formula

Q = Irrigation flow expressed in l/s

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Irrigation Engineering GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

A = Irrigation sheet expressed in cm.

T = Application time in hours

Surface area of the furrow expressed in m²

CONSTRUCTION OF EMBANKMENTS OR DIKES

The embankments should be built perpendicular to the contour lines, with

the transverse slope is minimized.
The height must be sufficient to keep the water confined within the bed,
but it should not block the passage of agricultural machinery.
Generally, the height should be about 20 cm, and its base will depend on stability.
from the damp soil.

CLASSIFICATION OF BEES

Right turns, when the terrain is flat

Crowdfunding in compartments or beds, when the terrain has a slope.
excessive
Level curves or contours when the terrain is uneven.

3. IRRIGATION BY FURROWS

Also called Laminar Furrow Irrigation or Small Furrows.

It consists of carrying the water flow along the slope through small
furrows called corrugations.

It is used in crops that grow very densely.

In this method, the conduction of water through the corrugations does not hinder usage.
from agricultural machinery during harvesting or collecting operations.

It differs from furrow irrigation in that it does not use elevated ridges for the
crops.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

4. IRRIGATION BY NATURAL OVERFLOW

It consists of pouring water at frequent intervals from an irrigation ditch.
built along the upper edge of a sloping field.

Let the water flow freely down the slope, watering the soils
through which water moves.

It is mainly used to irrigate low-value crops, in areas with

slope, where the uniformity of water is not a fundamental issue.

LIMITATIONS

Low application efficiency and excessive water expenditure.

Little uniformity of distribution.
It requires a lot of labor.

ADVANTAGES

Low initial cost

No preliminary leveling work is required.

It is spread in areas where labor is abundant and cheap and where the land has
little value.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

5. IRRIGATION BY WELLS
It consists of the layout of earth ditches that connect some ponds or holes made.
around the trunks (tree pits), which fill with water as it
advances through the irrigation ditch. It is a type of irrigation used with some frequency for watering.
of trees.

6. 'CONTACT' RISKS OF MOUNTAIN AREAS

It is a canal that runs almost level along a hillside and has small outlets.
through which water flows down the slope. It is an inefficient irrigation and
uniform, but does not require any land systematization and allows for an increase
considerably the performance of the meadows with very little investment. It is used
where abundant water is available. If the flows are not well controlled, they can
to cause serious erosion problems.

7. IRRIGATIONS BY OPENINGS
It consists of taking advantage of the floods that occur in the channels (dry riverbeds) of areas.
arid when it rains. They are often used to provide supplementary irrigation as well as for the
washing of salts in places where there are no other more appropriate methods for it.
8. POOLS

They are used in areas with steep slopes and for tree crops as is the case.
from the olive grove. The ponds serve to store rainwater and remain at
layout of the plant over a period of time, which varies depending on the
climatic conditions. In years with little rain, these ponds can fill up.
through hoses as long as water is available in the surroundings.
Normally the pools are closed but there are occasions when they are connected.
between each other, then having a kind of drainage channel.

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IRRIGATION ENGINEERING GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

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Surface Irrigation Low

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