SEDIMENT AND DEBRIS REMOVAL INLET STRUCTURE FOR CANAL PIPELINES

New underground pipelines, which replaced open-channel canals in the D uchesne River area of northeastern Utah, provided the necessary water pressure for local farmers in this arid region to switch to sprinkler irrigation systems. The new pipelines and sprinkler irrigation systems greatly reduced the amount of water previously lost to canal seepage and inefficient flood irrigation. The new pipelines and sprinkler irri gation systems, however, could be easily damaged or clogged by debris and sediment carried in the water. Self-operating, low-maintenance, an d low-cost pipeline inlet facilities had to be designed to remove sedi ment and debris from river water prior to its entering each new canal pipeline. The unique inlet facility designed for the new Tabby Canal p ipeline has been operating successfully for four years. It was relativ ely inexpensive to construct, is completely self-operating, and requir es much less maintenance than mechanical inlet facilities. It has func tioned so well that there have been no reports of any pipeline or spri nkler damage from water-carried sediment or debris.