---
title: "Criteria for a suitable irrigation method"
subject: "Irrigation and Drainage Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering:irrigation-method-selection-criteria"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/irrigation-method-selection-criteria
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Criteria for a suitable irrigation method

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2079 Chaitra, 5 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/irrigation-method-selection-criteria
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

Write down the principal criteria for the design of a suitable irrigation method.

## Short answer

Design criteria include topography (flat for basin, steep for sprinkler/drip), soil infiltration and water-holding capacity, crop type (rice=basin, row crops=furrow, orchards=drip), water scarcity (drip/sprinkler), climate, economics, labour skill, field size, drainage, and delivery system (gravity vs pressure).

## Answer

The irrigation method must suit the site, crop, water and farmers. The principal criteria are:

1. **Topography:** slope and shape of the land. Flat land suits basin, border and check methods; moderate slopes suit furrows; steep or undulating land suits sprinkler or drip.
2. **Soil:** infiltration rate and water-holding capacity. Sandy soil suits sprinkler or drip; clay soil, with its low intake rate, suits basin or border methods.
3. **Crop:** rice suits basin/check; row crops suit furrows; orchards suit ring basin or drip; close-growing crops suit border or sprinkler.
4. **Water availability and quality:** scarce water needs high-efficiency methods (drip, sprinkler); saline water favours drip, or flooding with leaching.
5. **Climate:** wind and evaporation affect sprinklers; cold areas may need frost protection.
6. **Economic factors:** capital cost, energy, labour cost, land levelling and the market value of the crop.
7. **Labour, skill and tradition:** availability of skilled workers and farmers' acceptance.
8. **Field size and shape:** large regular fields suit mechanised surface methods and centre pivots.
9. **Drainage and environment:** drainage condition, salinity and erosion risk.
10. **Water delivery system:** whether water is available under pressure, by gravity or by lift.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which method suits steep or undulating land?
   A. Basin or check
   B. Border strip
   C. Sprinkler or drip
   D. Wild flooding on level land
   Answer: C. Pressurised methods do not need levelling. (Key point: Topography)

2. Which method suits sandy soil with high infiltration?
   A. Check basin
   B. Long border strips
   C. Wild flooding
   D. Sprinkler or drip
   Answer: D. Frequent light applications avoid deep percolation. (Key point: Soil)

3. With scarce water, which methods are preferred?
   A. High-efficiency methods like drip and sprinkler
   B. Wild flooding
   C. Long furrows
   D. Check basins
   Answer: A. Higher efficiency saves water. (Key point: Water scarcity)

4. Which crop-method pairing is correct?
   A. Rice with drip
   B. Rice with basin/check
   C. Row crops with check basin
   D. Orchards with border strips
   Answer: B. Rice needs standing water. (Key point: Crop)

## Related in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

- [Design criteria of surface drainage](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Asurface-drainage-design-criteria) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 9
- [Undersluice functions and design criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Aundersluice-function-criteria) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Short note: Design of hilly irrigation canals](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Ahilly-canal-design-note) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 3
- [Steps for rice irrigation requirement](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Arice-irrigation-requirement-steps) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 2, asked 4×
- [Advantages of surface and sub-surface irrigation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Asurface-subsurface-pros-cons) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 1
- [Canal outlet and module performance criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Acanal-outlet-module-performance-criteria) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 7

## Related in other subjects

- [Desander and its design criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fhydro_power%3Adesander-design-criteria) — Hydro Power, chapter 5, asked 4×
- [Major criteria in foundation design](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ffoundation_engineering%3Afoundation-design-criteria) — Foundation Engineering, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Design steps and criteria of distribution system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Adistribution-design-steps) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 7, asked 3×
- [Surge tank functions and design criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fhydro_power%3Asurge-tank-functions-design) — Hydro Power, chapter 5, asked 2×