Point Flow Measurements in Irrigation Furrows

• Main Author: Mortin, David Ernest
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@USU 1964
• Subjects: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Engineering
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1595; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2594&context=etd

A new flow measurement concept is needed to facilitate the study of intake characteristics of the soil under furrow irrigation. Knowledge of the flow rate at various points throughout the furrow length is required but measurement must be made without altering the normal flow regime. Conventional water measuring devices such as weirs, orifices or flumes which require a loss of head in their operation, are usually unsatisfactory because to create a measuring head would alter the normal flow depth upstream thus changing the intake pattern. The purpose of this study is to develop a simple, reliable method of measuring small streams at random points in a furrow without altering the normal flow characteristics of the stream. The device must therefore cause little or no headloss, and should be lightweight, inexpensive, self-contained and easily serviced. It should be capable of measuring flows ranging from 4 to 30 gallons per minute with an allowable error of not over 5 percent.