Methodology for design of water harvesting system for high rainfall areas

Although rainfall in high rainfall regions is sufficient to meet the water demand of crops, its spatial and temporal distribution makes rainfed farming a risky proposition. Water harvesting can reduce the risk substantially by facilitating early planting by taking maximum advantage of the rainfall, thereby insuring the crop against rainfall aberrations. The proper design of a water harvesting system in a high rainfall region should take into account the spatial and temporal behavior of rainfall, water requirement of the crops, in addition to catchment characteristics. A simulation model has been developed to design a system for determining catchment/command area ratio, size of tank, desirable command area of a single tank and the feasibility/economics of lining of tank. The methodology facilitating the design of the system considered the catchment area characteristics, command area, and efficiency of conveyance system. It was found that for a rice-based cropping system in eastern India, a catchment/command ratio of 3.0 and tank size of 1750 m3/ha command area is required, which facilitates desirable moisture regime for rice and two irrigations to succeeding crop. The command area should not be extended beyond a limit to have a conveyance efficiency of 80% or more. Using traditional methodology, i.e. by total irrigation requirement method, the tank capacity requirement will be 4500–6000 m3/ha command area.