Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

RAINFED RICE A SOURCEBOOK OF BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES IN EASTERN INDIA
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Embankment-type ponds
This type of pond is made by forming the embankment around the valley or
deep depression of the catchment area. The runoff water is collected into
these ponds and is used when required.
Dugout-type ponds
These ‘ponds are excavated in areas having a land slope of less than 4% and
where the water table lies within 1.5 to 2.0 m. Sometimes, these ponds are
constructed on existing waterways to use them as both an inlet and outlet.
At the inlet of the pond, a small vegetative silt trap is used to retain the silt
from the runoff.
Community ponds
These ponds were made in natural
depressions to store water in the
past. The maintenance was
undertaken on a community basis by
beneficiaries. Some of these ponds
are currently being used, though
their maintenance is neglected.
Because of this, their capacity has
been reduced. Desilting of these ,
ponds is essential to enhance their
water storage capacity.
Small rock-check dams
Small rock-check dams are
constructed across riverlets/drains
(nalas) to check the flow of water
and allow it to infiltrate into the
alluvium under the bed. Water is
stored in the aquifer and is used by
extracting through wells or bore’
holes. In this system, peak flows are
allowed to overflow over a smaller
rock-check dam.