• Use of water resources
• Use of land resources
• Environmental protection

Country: Uzbekistan

Province: Sirdaryo Region

Dzhizakh Region; Right Branch of the Southern Golodnostepsk Canal (SGC)

• Basins of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya Rivers;
• Shallow ground water occurrence;
• Newly reclaimed landmass;
• Soil with high filtration ratio (over 0.1 m/day);
• landmass with low reclamation suitability and profitability.

Start date: 01.01.1965

End date: 31.12.1968

• Low efficiency of irrigation canals;
• rising ground water level;
• soil bogging;
• land salination.

Application of the technique sharply increases local water availability due to enhanced efficiency of irrigation networks (systems). Double coating of canal sides and bottom results in practically complete elimination of water filtration (0.97-0.98 per canal). Crop productivity grows thanks to better water availability, uniformity and timeliness of water supply and distribution.

Technology of anti-filtration canal panning with polymeric film.

There are different ways to prevent water filtration in distribution canals: anti-filtration canal coating with cast concrete, reinforced concrete plates, polymeric film, etc.  Separate use of these materials does not yield expected outcomes.  Fragility and lack of durability of polymeric film led to suspending its use.

Actions:

In 1965-1968, the mechanized (automated) way of canal panning with reinforced concrete plates and/or cast concrete in combination with polymeric film coating was introduced.  Initially, the canal’s perimeter was covered with black polyethylene film overlaid with reinforced concrete plates and/or cast concrete.  Experience shows that such canals are durable and are still operating today, although in recent years operational costs have significantly decreased.

Results:

Canals built with reinforced (cast) concrete panning in combination with polymeric film coating lose almost no water.  For example, in UR-24 and UR 25-9 Canals in Pakhtakor District -- where such panning was used for the first time – water losses dropped 20-30 times, and operational costs also sharply decreased compared to other facilities with different anti-filtration coating.  Water losses on the Right Branch of the SGC (discharge capacity – over 50 m³/s) amounted to only 1.8 l/s per 1 km.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been rendering significant attention to rehabilitation and refitting of its hydro-reclamation networks and even established a special Reclamation Fund.  In this regard, it is necessary to re-launch the practice of combatting water loss in supply canals by means of reinforced (cast) concrete coating combined with polyethylene film coating, especially with the account that domestic plants are currently manufacturing large volumes of polyethylene products.

Domestic tools (outcomes of research by domestic R&D organizations)

Project title: Combatting water filtration in canals.

Project duration: 1965-1968.

Project goal and objectives: reduce water losses due to filtration in irrigation canals.

Project beneficiaries: population in SGC area.

Project implementer: “Golodnostepstroy” Irrigation System Administration.

• Dukhovny, V.A. (technique developer);
• Irrigation of Uzbekistan, vol. 2 and 4, Tashkent, 1981;
• Poslavsky, V.V. et al., “Use of plastics in irrigation”, Tashkent, 1963;
• Dukhovny, V.A., “Irrigation and development of Golodnaya Step”, M.: Kolos, 1973;
• Bogushevsky, A.A. et al., “Agricultural hydro-technical reclamations”, ed. by E.S. Markov. M.: Kolos, 1981.