Study of the hydraulic parameters of existing water storage structures in Bhakra Main canal command area of Sirsa district, Haryana

Abstract

           The construction of balancing reservoir or tank has been promoted by private as well as government organisation for storing canal and tubewell water at farmers’ fields. Balancing reservoir is an extensive kind of a water storage system because they ensure the adequate quantities of water availability to fulfil the demand and maintain water qualities. The major hydraulic parameters of tank are length, width, depth, side slope, surface area and storage capacity. In this study, 109 existing balancing reservoir hydraulic parameters information were collected from farmers’ field. The storage capacity of the balancing reservoir is important for the efficient operation of a water supply system. The balancing reservoir should be large enough to store sufficient water to meet both average and peak daily demands of crops. In the present study, various balancing reservoir of different sizes and shape have been constructed in the farmers’ fields. Trapezoidal shaped tanks can be constructed which having geometrical advantage over other shapes and sizes tanks. B-category tanks are mostly existed in research areas that are based on the areas of size of landholding. Water storage through tank is devised as an efficient tool because it improved crop productivity and reduces risk uncertainties. This study helped in stabilizing and supporting water management technology for a large proportion of agriculture in the arid and semi arid tropics.