i am interested in finding information on construction techniques for
canal and water infrastructure.
i am particularly interested in finding  images and diagrams(very
important),as well as text descriptions (i am currently researching
infarstructure used in flooded areas).
Water retaining systems, water guiding systems and their construction
are a few pointers for beginning retrieving the necessary info.

Hello laza,

This is a great question! I was able to locate quite a few in depth
sites, with images, diagrams and text descriptions.

Since you show a keen interest in the 'construction theory' of canals
and flood control systems, I have included some pages that should
point you further in the correct direction.


The first site I found has a generic overview diagram for a project in
Arizona. It's not too in depth, but gives you a more broad view of
what the process entails :

Maricopa County Grand Canal Flood Control Project
http://www.fcd.maricopa.gov/Projects/BethanyHome/August1999/diagrams.htm


This second site is the 'meat and potatoes' of this answer. It
essentially answers your question in one large page, as it has
analysis tips, construction considerations, mathematical approach, and
even flood warning ideas.

Flood Control Regulations
http://civilu.ce.utexas.edu/stu/robayoo/WaterR/FloodReport_web.htm


Here is a project that the United States Army Corps of Engineers
lended a hand to. It is a flood control diagram for Folsom Dam and
Lake that allows them to calculate the required storage for the
resevoir. The second link is to the main page of the Folsom Dam
project. It contains information I thought you would find very useful
:


Folsom Dam
http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/civ/folsom/pdf/plate6.pdf

Folsom Dam Modification Project
http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/civ/folsom/


Another project headed up by the Army Corps of Engineers, this one in
very in depth, that includes analysis of a river in question. It has
far too much information to outline, but it should help. (This is
another dam/flood control project)

Libby and Hungry Horse Dam (Kootenai River Flood Control)
http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/cafe/forecast/VARQ/Section_2.pdf



Here's some links to software that will help you in the design of
waterways and canals. I don't know how well they work, but it's worth
a look :

Canals and Canal Network Programs
http://www.wiz.uni-kassel.de/kww/irrisoft/canal/canal_i.html


To assist with this answer I searched Google for :

canal design "water"
://www.google.com/search?q=canal+design+%22water%22

canal design
://www.google.com/search?q=canal+design

canal design diagram
://www.google.com/search?q=canal+design+diagram

canal infrastructure
://www.google.com/search?q=canal+infrastructure


I hope this gives you enough resources to get your started. There is
alot of information, and I found the second link to be the most
helpful. Should you need clarification of more resources, simply ask
and I will do all I can to assist. Thanks for the great question!

SgtCory

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Request for Answer Clarification by laza-ga on 06 Jun 2003 13:03 PDT

HELLO SgtCory

Good answer, a few clarifications though:
I an interested in canal construction rather than dam construction .
more specificly, i am interested in flooded areas that are flat plains
and how canals are used to irrigate these and also prevent flood
catastrophies from quickly saturation of the soil. Examples are the
argentine pampas and the dutch landscape which is flat! So i am
interested in finding construction techniques for areas such as these
(generally non-m ountaneous).The diagrams you included are really
good, if you can find similar  ones for above example that would be
great, even details of piping, canal dimensions, how they are
collected any relevant information really. If any of the above are
found that would be perfect!cool!
regards,
laza

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Clarification of Answer by sgtcory-ga on 06 Jun 2003 16:02 PDT

Great. Is this the type of information you were hoping for (minus the
piping for the first links) :


IRRIGATION SYSTEM (with conveyance system i.e. a canal at middle of
page)
http://www.fao.org/docrep/R4082E/r4082e06.htm

Profile of soil for use with above
http://www.fao.org/docrep/R4082E/r4082e03.htm#2.1.2%20soil%20profile


This search is alluding me the best it can. I assume it's because all
canals are different, based on the territory in which they reside, and
catered to the purpose they serve. I keep ending up with similar, but
smaller scale information. It may still help you out, and can probably
translate to a larger scale project - so here it is :

Small Scale irrigation
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technical-briefs/42-small-scale-irrigation-design.pdf


Other than that - I'm afraid I'm at a stall. I can always ask the
editors that my answer be removed should you feel it did not meet your
needs. I wish I could have been of more assistance, as I always like
to ensure our customers get everything they need.

Thanks for the clarification request and the challenging question!

SgtCory

Cool! The last sites were what i was looking for- informative text illustrated
with good diagrams and rules of thumb to follow everything up.
Good work!