Design and Operation of Gravity or Surface Systems (Chapter 13)

Surface irrigation uses open channel flow to spread water over a field. The driving force in such systems is gravity and hence the alternate term, gravity flooding. Once distributed over the surface of the field and after it has entered the soil, water is often redistributed by forces other than gravity. Surface irrigation systems generally require a smaller initial investment than do other types of irrigation systems. However, this is not always the case, especially if extensive land forming is needed for an efficient system. In fact, the need for extensive land forming is one of the main reasons why other types of irrigation systems have been developed