In designing the channels, N, in Kutter’s co-efficient, may be taken as ·0225 or ·020, according to judgment. For new and smooth channels ·020 is generally correct. A channel generally becomes rougher by use but sometimes it becomes smoother. Cases have occurred in which N has been found to be ·016. This question is discussed in Hydraulics, Chap. VI.
The bed width of a canal is reduced, where a distributary takes off, in such a way that when the canal and distributary are both running full, the depth of water in the canal continues to be uniform and the flow to be uniform. When the distributary is closed there is heading up in the canal upstream of the off-take, but not enough to make any appreciable difference unless the capacity of the distributary is a large fraction of that of the canal and even then no harm is likely to result.
The preceding rules and principles being taken into consideration, the channels are designed. The bed levels, gradients and depths are so arranged as to give the velocities suited to the soil and to maintain the proper relation of depth to velocity. The bed width is arranged so as to give the proper discharge. The full supply level of the canal and branches has also to be so arranged that it shall be higher, at each distributary off-take, than the full supply level of the distributary. It is desirable to be able to give a distributary its full supply even when the canal is low. Generally the slope of the country along any line is greater than would be suitable for the bed, and “falls” are introduced. The off-take of a distributary is generally just above a fall and there is generally an ample margin between its F.S. level and that of the canal. The discharge of the canal during the greater part of the rabi may be only about half the full supply. This discharge should be estimated and the water level corresponding to it calculated and shown on the longitudinal section. If possible the levels should be so arranged that even with its least supply the water level in the canal will enable full supply to be given to a distributary. If this cannot otherwise be managed it may be necessary to construct a regulator in the canal below the head of the distributary so that, during low supplies, the water can be headed up. It has been stated in River and Canal Engineering, Chapter IV., that such heading up, if temporary, is not at all likely to cause silt deposit in the canal. The designing of the distributaries is not proceeded with at this stage.
Since no irrigation is usually done directly from the canal and branches, they are designed without any particular connection between the level of the water and that of the country traversed. Dangerously high embankments are of course avoided as far as possible. The bed is designed at such a level that the excavation and embankment at any place will be, as nearly as possible, equal. Land in India is cheap. When the excavation exceeds the embankment the balance is made into a spoil bank. When the excavation is less than the embankment the balance is got from borrow-pits.
The side slopes of channels in excavation are generally 1 to 1, in embankment 1¹⁄₂ to 1. The sides of channels of small or moderate size usually become about ¹⁄₂ to 1, or even vertical, by the deposit of silt on the slopes. This reduction of area is allowed for in the design i.e. the bed width is so designed that the channel will carry the required discharge, not with the side slopes as executed, but when they have become ¹⁄₂ to 1. In large canals however the sides do not always silt up but rather tend to fall in. When this is expected to occur the allowance above described is not made. Berms are left so that if any part of the sides fall in, the bank will not also fall in. The berms also allow of the channel being widened if that ever becomes necessary. Type sections are given in [Figs. 8] and [9].
6. Banks and Roads.
—[Figs. 8] and [9] show the banks and spoil.
Fig. 8.
