International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage Commission Interationale des Irrigation et du Drainage



Ponds

Ponds and reservoirs are bodies of water created by constructing a dam or embankment across a watercourse or by excavating a pit or dugout.


The storage capacity of a farm reservoir used for irrigation depends on the effective rainfall that can be expected during the growing season, the water requirements of the crops to be irrigated, the expected inflow into the pond, the application efficiency of the irrigation method used, and the losses due to evaporation and seepage. All of these can be estimated with reasonable accuracy and a water budget prepared to determine the required capacity of the reservoir.


Generally, a pond serves compatible multi- purposes such asirrigating one or more field crops, water for live-stock and for fish production. Storage requirement for each purpose is considered to be sure of an adequate supply for all intended uses.


Farm ponds and reservoirs may be divided into two general types; namely, embankment and excavated ponds. An embankment pond is a body of water created by constructing a barrier across a stream or watercourse and is usually built in areas where land slopes range from gentle to moderately steep and where stream valleys are sufficiently depressed to permit the storage of water to a considerable depth. An excavated pond is a body of water created by excavating a pit or dugout. These usually are constructed in relatively level areas. The fact that their capacity is obtained almost entirely by excavation limits their use to locations where only a small supply of water is required.

Irrigation

Sources of Irrigation

Application of Irrigation water

Purpose of Irrigation

Instruments and implements of Irrigation

Irrigation Management

Irrigation and environment

Capacity Development

Dictionary - Ponds Terms

Sign up for newsletter

Follow us