Canal
Regulators:
Canal regulators are structures used
to control the flow of water in canals for efficient management and
distribution. They are an essential part of irrigation systems. Here's a
breakdown of the terms you mentioned:
- Head Regulator: A head regulator is a structure built at
the head or entrance of the canal. It controls the amount of water
entering the canal from a river or reservoir. It usually consists of a
series of gates that can be raised or lowered to control the flow of
water.
- Cross Regulator: A cross regulator is a structure built
across a canal downstream of the off-taking canal. Its main purpose is to
raise the water level upstream so as to divert more water into the
off-taking canals and to control the water level in the parent canal
downstream. Like head regulators, they also consist of gates that can be
raised or lowered.
- Escape or Escape Channel: An escape, also known as an escape
channel, is a structure used to release excess water from a canal system
to prevent flooding or damage to the canal. It's basically a safety valve
for the canal system. The water released through an escape is usually
returned to a natural water body such as a river.
- Falls or Drops: In the context of irrigation, falls or
drops are structures that are used to lower the level of water in a canal
when the natural ground slope is steeper than the desired slope of the
canal. This helps prevent erosion or damage to the canal. They can be
designed in various ways, such as a simple drop, a chute, or a stepped
fall, depending on the specific circumstances.
- Outlets: Outlets are structures built into the side of a canal to deliver
water to the fields. They are designed to allow a certain amount of water
to flow out of the canal, with the amount usually being controlled by a
gate or valve. The design of outlets is important to ensure an equitable
distribution of water and to prevent wastage.