Department of Civil Engineering

Water Resource Engineering (5CE4-05)

Canal: Introduction & Classification

Rahul Khandelwal
Assistant Professor (Civil Department)
Poornima College of Engineering
[email protected]
 Definition
• A canal is an artificial channel ( man made) constructed to convey water
from rivers, reservoirs, etc. for several purposes like power generation,
navigation, irrigation, etc.

• Canals are classified into different types based on factors such as nature of
supply source, functions, type of boundary surface, financial output,
discharge capacity and alignment of the canal.
Classification of Canals based on Different
Factors
• Based on the nature of the supply source
• Based on functions
• Based on the type of boundary surface soil
• Based on the financial output
• Based on discharge
• Based on canal alignment
 Based on the Nature of Supply Source

1. Permanent Canal
2. Inundation Canal

1. Permanent Canal
A Permanent canal is a type of canal in which water is available
throughout the year. This type of canal is generally directed from a
permanent source of supply water bodies. Several Permanent
hydraulic structures are constructed in this type of canal for water
regulation and distribution. A Permanent canal can also be called
as a perennial canal.
2. Inundation Canal
Inundation canal is a type of canal in which water is available only during
the flood periods. These type of canals are taken off from rivers to control
the water level in rivers during floods. A canal head regulator is provided
to regulate the flow into the canal.

• Based on Functions of Canal

1. Irrigation canal
2. Power canal
3. Feeder canal
4. Carrier canal
5. Navigation canal
1. Irrigation canal
A canal aligned along the boundaries of cultivatable areas in order to
supply water for the purpose of agriculture is said to be an irrigation canal.
2. Power canal
A canal constructed especially for the generation of hydraulic power is
termed as power canal.
3. Feeder canal
As the name says, a feeder canal is constructed to feed two or more other
canals or branch canals.
4. Carrier canal
A carrier canal is multi-function canal which serves the purposes of both
irrigation canal and feeder canal. It means the carrier canal feeds the
other canals as well as provides water for direct irrigation.
5. Navigation canal
A canal which is constructed especially for navigational purposes is known
as navigation canal. The water level required in a navigation canal is
generally a lot higher to accommodate large ships, vessels, etc.
• Based on Type of Boundary Surface of Canal
1. Alluvial canal
2. Non-alluvial canal
3. Rigid Surface canal

1. Alluvial canal
If the canal is excavated in alluvial soils such as silt, sand, gravel, etc. then
it is said to be an alluvial canal.
2. Non-alluvial canal
If the boundary surface of the canal is of non-alluvial soils such as loam,
clay, rock, etc. then it is said to be a non-alluvial canal.
3. Rigid Surface canal
Rigid surface canals also come under non-alluvial canals but here the
boundary surface of the canal is lined artificially with a hard layer of lining
material such as cement, concrete, stones, etc.
• Based on Financial Output
1. Protective canal
2. Productive canal
Protective Canal
Protective canals are relief work projects which are constructed to
protect a particular area from the shortage of water. The main objective
of a protective canal is to fulfill the requirements of cultivators during
the period of famine.
Productive Canal
Productive canals are those which will produce enough revenue for its
maintenance and running costs and also to recover the initial investment
made on the construction of the canal. It is said to be good if it recovers
6% of its initial investment per annum.
• Based on Discharge
1. Main canal
2. Branch canal
3. Major distributary canal
4. Minor distributary canal
5. Field canal
1. Main canal
The main canal takes off directly from a river or reservoir. It carries water
in large amounts to feed the branch and distributary canals. Due to
conveying of very high discharge through the main canal it is not
recommended to do direct irrigation from it.
2. Branch Canal
The branch canal takes off from main canals at regular intervals.
These canals supply water to major and minor distributary canals.
The discharge of the branch canal is generally over 5 m3/sec. In the
case of branch canals also, direct irrigation is not recommended
unless their water carrying capacity is very low.
3. Major Distributary Canal
Major distributary canal takes off from the branch canal or in some cases
from the main canal. They supply water to minor distributaries and field
channels. A canal is said to be major distributary when its discharge lies
between 0.25 to 5 m3/sec.
4. Minor Distributary Canal
Minor distributary canal takes off from major distributaries and
sometimes directly from branch canals depending upon the discharge of
canals. Their discharge is generally below 0.25 m3/sec. These canals supply
water to the field channels.
5. Field Channels
Field channels also known as watercourses are small channels excavated
by cultivators in the irrigation field. These channels are fed by the
distributary canals and branch canals through canal outlets.
• Based on Canal Alignment
1. Ridge canal
2. Contour canal
3. Side-slope canal
1. Ridge Canal
A canal aligned along the ridgeline of an area is said to be ridge canal or
watershed canal. Since it is running at the peak altitude of the area, irrigation
on both sides of the canal up to a larger extent of the area is possible. There is
no interception of natural drains on ridge lines hence, no cross drainage works
are required for this type of canal.
2. Contour Canal
A canal aligned roughly parallel to the contours of the area is called a contour
canal. This type of canal can be seen in hilly regions. Since it is parallel to the
contour line, the ground on one side of the canal is higher and hence irrigation
is possible only on the other side of the canal. A contour canal has to pass the
drainage and hence cross drainage works are required to be provided.
3. Side-slope Canal
A canal aligned nearly perpendicular to the contour of the area is called a side-
slope canal. It is located neither on the ridgeline nor on the valley line but is
approximately in between them. It is parallel to the natural drainage line and
hence no cross drainage works are required. The bed slope of side slope canal
is very steep.