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construction and refurbishment of earthen irrigation channel banks

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ainfallPumpingevapotranspirationIrrigationinfiltrationGroundwaterChannel SeepageOUTFLOWExchange with lower aquiferINFLOWFigure 21-3Flows through a control volumeGroundwater flow model uses include:• estimate what seepage will occur from a proposed <strong>channel</strong>• estimate what seepage will occur after rehabilitating an existing <strong>channel</strong>, or• assess a range <strong>of</strong> seepage remediation techniques for an existing <strong>channel</strong>.• evaluate the effect <strong>of</strong> different geological layers under <strong>and</strong> adjacent to the <strong>channel</strong>• evaluate the effect <strong>of</strong> <strong>channel</strong> shape; ie width, depth, slopes <strong>of</strong> batters• evaluate the effect <strong>of</strong> vegetation adjacent to the <strong>channel</strong>• evaluate the possible benefits <strong>of</strong> remedial measures, eg lining• evaluate field measurements <strong>of</strong> seepage relative to soil permeability <strong>and</strong>groundwater levels• evaluate what proportion <strong>of</strong> accessions to the groundwater are from <strong>channel</strong>s asagainst other sources• evaluate the effect <strong>of</strong> <strong>channel</strong> seepage on regional or sub-regional groundwatersystems• estimate <strong>channel</strong> seepage volumes without direct measurement.In Australia the modelling <strong>of</strong> <strong>channel</strong> seepage is not practiced routinely. This mayindicate a lack <strong>of</strong> faith that modelling will be useful, or a belief that the costs aretoo high relative to the gains in knowledge.Modelling <strong>of</strong> <strong>channel</strong> seepage flow is complicated due to the factors below:• <strong>channel</strong>s <strong>of</strong> irregular cross-section• natural processes in the <strong>channel</strong> <strong>of</strong> erosion, sedimentation, biological action etc.• non-uniformity <strong>of</strong> sub-soil in horizontal as well as vertical extent• variation in evaporation rates <strong>and</strong> capillary rise throughout the year• changing elevations <strong>of</strong> the water surface in the <strong>channel</strong>• changing elevation <strong>of</strong> the watertable• the effect <strong>of</strong> the chemistry <strong>of</strong> the <strong>channel</strong> water on the hydraulic properties <strong>of</strong> thesoil. This causes hydraulic conductivity to change in time as well as in space.the hydraulic conductivity is also affected by the air content <strong>of</strong> the soil.Construction <strong>and</strong> Refurbishment <strong>of</strong> Earthen Channel Banks August 2002 – Edition 1.0 21-18

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