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Functions of regulating structures

Short answer

Head regulator controls canal intake and silt; cross regulator raises upstream level for off-takes; escape disposes excess water; outlets deliver to watercourses; falls drop bed elevation at steep reaches; measuring flumes fix discharge. Together they ensure controlled, equitable distribution.

Describe the functions of different regulating structures used in an irrigation system.

Regulating structures control the flow of water in an irrigation system. The main ones are described below.

StructureFunction
Head regulatorAt the head of a canal or distributary. Regulates the supply entering it, excludes silt, measures discharge and closes the canal when required.
Cross regulatorAcross the parent canal d/s of an off-take. Raises the water level to feed the off-taking channel and regulates the flow to the d/s.
EscapeDisposes of the excess water from a canal into a natural drain to protect the canal; also empties the canal for repair and flushes silt.
Canal outletDelivers water from a distributary or minor to the water course (field channel); sets the share of each chak.
Canal fall (drop)Lowers the canal water level in steps where the ground slope is steeper than the canal slope, dissipating surplus energy safely.
Distributary head regulator and offtakeControl the distribution among distributaries and minors.
Measuring flumes and modulesMeasure and fix the discharge.
 Parent canal ===>===[CR]===>===
                |
             [HR] v off-take (distributary)
                |  outlet --> water course --> field

Together these structures give controlled, efficient and equitable distribution.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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