Free Online Canal Seepage Loss and Conveyance Efficiency Calculator

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Canal Seepage Loss & Conveyance Efficiency — Inflow-Outflow Method

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Inputs
X
X
X
X
/ X
/ X
X
Results
Seepage loss rate, Qloss Seepage loss rate, Qloss X
Measurement check Measurement check X
Fraction lost Fraction lost X
Conveyance efficiency, Ec Conveyance efficiency, Ec X
Efficiency rating Efficiency rating X
Daily volume lost Daily volume lost X
Annual volume lost Annual volume lost X
Loss per unit length, Qloss/L Loss per unit length, Qloss/L X
Lining area, L × Pw Lining area, L × Pw X
Annual value lost Annual value lost X
Annual value recovered Annual value recovered X
Total lining cost Total lining cost X
Payback period ? Payback period ? X

Notes

Method
The inflow-outflow method estimates seepage by measuring flow at the head and tail of a canal reach: Qloss = Qin − Qout. Conveyance efficiency Ec = Qout / Qin. Annual volume assumes continuous full-flow operation; actual loss is lower for seasonal or part-flow canals.
Efficiency Ratings
Typical unlined earthen canals: Ec = 60–80%. Well-maintained earthen canals: 75–85%. Concrete-lined canals: 90–98%. Seepage losses above 30% of inflow often justify a lining investment. (USBR, FAO)
Lining Payback
Enter water value and lining cost in any consistent currency. Lining area = reach length × wetted perimeter — the wetted perimeter of the canal cross-section at the measured flow depth (bottom width plus both wetted slopes). Annual value recovered assumes the lined canal achieves the target Ec continuously. Actual payback will be longer for seasonal canals or if the lining does not reach the target efficiency.
Reference
USBR Water Measurement Manual, 3rd ed. (2001). FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 57 (1999).

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