Ultra-High-Resolution Three-Dimensional UAV Imagery Application for Increasing the Efficiency of Irrigation System

The use of available water for irrigation is limited depending on topographical and the current mode of water transfer technology. In view of this problem, in this case study, a branch canal distribution of water has been selected for irrigation through the Kharung tank located on Kharung River, a tributary of Shivnath River in Mahanadi basin, Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state, India. A peer review of available data reveals that farm field irrigation through the branch canal using traditional method (flooded irrigation system) required huge water demand and time to irrigate downstream lands. Therefore, there is a need for advanced and modern irrigation practices to be adopted. The study characterizes the canal to farm underground pipeline (UGPL) distribution system for optimum water utilization and irrigate lands all together in same time. Detailed drawings and design have been prepared for irrigation through application of an advanced ultra-high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in combination with DGPS survey has been carried out. The resulting three-dimensional product helps in eliminating the complexity of maintaining slope for gravitational flow in irrigation systems for simultaneous irrigation of downstream water demand of farms. This improvised technology help to find an economical solution through the determination of the shortest pipeline route. The results of this study establish the use of modern survey techniques for UGPL irrigation systems to improve irrigation efficiency. High-resolution three-dimensional imagery also allows modifying command boundaries, laying a pipeline network, without interruption, and accurate positioning of all structures.