Sediment Transport and Deposition in Trickle Irrigation Laterals

Abstract

ABSTRACT SUSPENDED loads in waters used for trickle irriga-tion contribute to sedimentation in laterals and plug-ging of emitters. The nature of sediment transport and deposition in trickle irrigation systems has not been previously examined. The spatial and temporal accumu-lation of sediment in laterals was observed in a field in-stallation. The Durand sediment transport equation for conduits was found to be applicable to the trickle laterals studied. The prediction of sediment accumulation in laterals will result in improved design and management of trickle irrigation systems.