A study on water seepage losses for ponds and reservoirs

Abstract

Irrigation is main factor for agricultural production. Our aim is to increase agricultural yield by increasing area under irrigation. It is very important to see that more water available for irrigation is completely used as far as possible to avoid water loss during conveyance through canal. Seepage loss is major water loss during transit. Rainwater harvesting is the artificial collection, storage and use of runoff or rain water. The water harvesting with tanks and ponds is one option to increase water availability and agricultural production at the household level. Rain fed agriculture can be protected by adopting farm ponds. The harvested runoff water in a farm pond creates salinization / water logging problems so; it has to be lined to control the seepage losses. The article presents a review on the type of lining materials viable and to explore for a cost effective sealant which can be adapted. In comparison to clay lining, Bentonite, polymers like HDPE, LDPE, Silpoulin, LLDPE in combination with concrete increases the durability along with the 100% seepage control with benefit cost ratio for HDPE lining in combination with concrete showed highest value of 10.4:1. Bentonite, though costly has shown significant results by reducing the seepage losses by 72% to 96% respectively, depending on the thickness of application. In vertisols, lining did not show any significant variation. Whereas alfisols, luvisols of arid and semi-arid regions require lining materials with diversified crops and conservative irrigation practices.