---
title: "Requirements of a good intake; types in Nepal"
subject: "Hydropower Engineering"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_7/hydropower_engineering:intake-requirements-types-nepal"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/hydropower_engineering/intake-requirements-types-nepal
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Requirements of a good intake; types in Nepal

Hydropower Engineering · Chapter 5: Headworks of Run-of- River (RoR) Plants

- Asked in: 2072 Kartik, 2+3 marks
- Video: [RoR Headworks Intake Mastery #ror #water #diversion #weir](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NTjkrUl8Bg) — Hydropower
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/hydropower_engineering/intake-requirements-types-nepal
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/hydropower_engineering/chapter-5

## Question

What are the requirements of a good intake? Explain different types of intake used in hydropower projects in Nepal with neat sketches.

## Short answer

A good intake must pass design discharge without vortices, exclude bed load and trash, have low head loss, be stable, and include gates and flushing. In Nepal common types are side intake, bottom or Tyrolean intake, frontal intake, and reservoir or tunnel intake.

## Answer

#### Requirements of a good intake
- Pass the design discharge in all river conditions, with the opening always submerged and no vortex or air entry.
- Keep out bed load, sediment and floating trash (high sill, trash rack and boom).
- Low head loss through a smooth, bell-mouthed entry and a short transition.
- Structurally stable in floods; strong foundation; safe against scour and uplift.
- Gates for regulation and shut-off, easy to operate; flushing arrangement in front of the intake.
- Easy access for maintenance and for removal of trash and sediment.
- Economical, with minimal impact on the environment and fish.

#### Types of intakes used in Nepal
1. **Side intake** (most common): the opening is in the river bank next to the weir; the undersluice flushes the front.
2. **Bottom (Tyrolean) intake**: a rack across the stream bed, used in steep streams, e.g. micro and small hydropower projects.
3. **Frontal intake** (in the dam or weir face): used rarely.
4. **Reservoir/tunnel intake** (submerged): a pressurised tower or inclined rack on a storage project.

```text
 Side intake (plan)        Bottom intake (section)
 ===> weir  |||||||        flow ==> \\\\\\\\ rack
   rack |  gate -->               |____chamber____|-->
```

## Check yourself

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

1. Which is a requirement of a good intake?
   A. Pass design discharge with opening always submerged and no vortex
   B. Allow bed load for sluicing
   C. Maximum entry velocity
   D. No gate to reduce cost
   Answer: A. Reliable supply requires submergence and no air entry. (Key point: Good intake)

2. Which is the most common intake type in Nepal?
   A. Frontal intake
   B. Reservoir tower intake
   C. Side intake
   D. Siphon intake
   Answer: C. Side intake with undersluice flushing the front is most used. (Key point: Common type)

3. Where is the bottom (Tyrolean) intake used?
   A. Large storage projects
   B. Steep streams, micro and small hydropower
   C. Underground powerhouses
   D. Tidal sites
   Answer: B. A rack across the bed collects water in steep streams. (Key point: Bottom intake)

## Related in Hydropower Engineering

- [Hydropower intake sketch; minimizing head loss](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Ahydropower-intake-sketch-minimise-headloss) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5
- [Institutions in Nepal's hydropower sector](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Ainstitutional-setup-hydropower) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Importance of hydropower development in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aimportance-hydropower-nepal) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 1
- [Common RoR intakes in Nepal; site selection](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aror-common-intakes-nepal-location) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Parts of pressurized and non-pressurized RoR intake](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aintake-parts-pressurized-nonpressurized-sketch) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5
- [What is an intake? Functions and sketch](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aintake-definition-functions-sketch) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Equipment used in hydropower construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ahydropower-equipment) — Construction Management, chapter 4
- [Intake type for hilly area of Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Aintake-for-hilly-area) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [RA: employee-projects with no part used](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fdatabase_management_system%3Ara-emp-project-no-part) — Database Management System, chapter 3
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