Watercourse Improvement

Tertiary irrigation conveyance network in Pakistan is called watercourses. These community channels are off-taking from government controlled irrigation system. The watercourses are operated and maintained by the shareholders receiving water through these channels. A watercourse commands an area of about 150-250 hectares (375-625 acres) and is shared by 40 to 50 farm families. Studies have indicated that about 40 percent of irrigation water is lost during its conveyance through nation’s about 140,000 watercourses because of their aging and deteriorated conditions. Previous experience of watercourse improvement has shown that on an average, annual water saving in an improved watercourse is about 100 Acre Feet besides other socio-economic benefits.