SILTING CHARACTERISTICS OF DISTRIBUTARIES IN KANO RIVER PROJECT

SILTING CHARACTERISTICS OF DISTRIBUTARIES IN KANO RIVER PROJECT

Abstract:

A study of the evaluation of the performance of the Water Distribution system in the Kadawa sector of the Kano River Project was carried out by Jimoh, O.D. in 1991.He came up with siltation of the distributaries as one of the problems affecting the efficient water distribution system within the irrigation system. This study has thus examined the silting characteristics of distributaries during the 1991/92 dry season farming in Kano River Project. The Kadawa lateral canal, distributary canal and field channel were selected for the study. The amount of bed load discharge (2.62 g/day) is small as compared with the total sediment load (23.22 g/day). The bed load discharge is found to be 11% of the total sediment load. About 1082 m3 of sediment were scour, out of which 838m3 are deposited as at the time of study in the selected portions, of the canal system. This has greatly changed the bed configuration of the canals. As a result, the hydraulic efficiency of the distributary and field channel was 56%.as against 64% obtained by Jimoh (1991) This section of the canal is not lined. However, the hydraulic efficiency of the lined lateral canal was 91%. This lined section is not infested with weeds. Sediment transported through the canal system is predominantly silt and clay. This aids rapid growth of weeds. Recommendations on how to reduce the siltation problem and improve on the efficiency of the canals were made.

SILTING CHARACTERISTICS OF DISTRIBUTARIES IN KANO RIVER PROJECT