Question

which of the two canal irrigation system is better? why

Answer 1

The canal irrigation is of two types, namely: Inundation Canal and Perennial Canal.

Inundation Canals

Inundation canals are taken out from the rivers. These canals do not have any kind of weir at their head to regulate the flow of water from the river. During rainy season, the river gets flooded and the flood water overflows into these canals. Many canals of these types are found on the Sutlej-Ganga plains and Brahmaputra valley. These canals constitute simple flood water drainage system. The supply of irrigation water through the inundation canal is dependent on the rainfall. Besides, irrigation is restricted to the land lying on a level lower than the river valleys. Moreover, during winter these canals are practically of no use. In modern India, attempts are being made to convert them into perennial canals with the help of river valley projects.

Perennial Canals

Perennial canals are those canals which maintain its flow of water throughout the year even during winter season. These canals draw their water either from rivers or from reservoir of the river projects. A weir is built below the intake of the canal, the intake itself being regulated by sluice gates

Answer 2

Perennial cannal are useful throughout the year as they draw their water from perennial rivers, artificial lakes or barrages, constructed across the river where as inundation canals are taken out from river without any regulating system like weirs and barrages at their head to regulate the flow of river