Irrigation System of Pakistan

ASSIGNMENT
SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. SEHRISH KHAN
SUBMITTED BY:
Waleed Abdullah
REG. NO:
2020-CIV-327
SUBJECT:
IRRIGATION ENGINEERING
COURSE CODE:
CE-431
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

UET LAHORE
(NAROWAL CAMPUS)
Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS)
The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is the largest irrigation system in the world, covering
over 1.6 million square kilometers of agricultural land in Pakistan. The system consists of
large and small dams, as well as numerous canals, which are used to effectively manage water
flow based on the needs of different regions and seasons.
Figure 1: Indus River
Contribution:
The Indus River basin, which feeds the IBIS, is a major source of life in Pakistan, providing
water for almost 90% of the country's food production. This contributes significantly to
Pakistan's gross domestic product, with the Indus River alone contributing to 25% of the
country's GDP. However, the IBIS faces challenges related to water management, including
water scarcity and the potential for severe food shortages due to this scarcity.
Estimates:
Linked to the water security issues, Pakistan is potentially at risk of facing a severe food
shortage in the near future. The World Bank report of 2020–2021 estimates that the water
shortage will increase to 32% by 2025, which will result in a food shortage of almost 70 million
tons. According to recent estimates, siltation and climate change will reduce the water storage
capacity by 2025 to almost 30%. As for the per capita water storage capacity in Pakistan, it is
about 150 m3, which is quite meagre in comparison with that in other countries.
Sources of water:
The IBIS uses three main sources of water - ground, rain and river water.
Groundwater - Groundwater accounts for an impressive 40% of the water in the region
needed for crop irrigation.
Rainwater - Rainwater in the Indus Basin totals an average of 365 mm per annum. However,
with upper areas receiving around 500mm, as opposed to lower regions which receive 300mm.
River water - The average volume of water from the Western Rivers equates to approximately
142 MAF (Million Acre Feet). Of this, around 104 MAF is diverted for irrigation, while 38
MAF flows out into the Arabian Sea.
Figure 2:Water Quantity
Components of IBIS:
The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) comprises 3 big dams, 85 smaller ones, 19 barrages,
and 12 canals interlinking local rivers. In addition, there are 45 canal command areas and
Figure 3: Components of IBIS

700,000 tubed wells as part of the system. In money terms, the entire enterprise is worth
approximately $300 billion. The main water sources of the IBIS include the Indus, Jhelum, and
Chenab rivers.
Dams:
The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) includes several important dams that play a crucial
role in managing water resources for agriculture and other purposes in Pakistan. Some of the
key dams within the IBIS are:
Tarbela Dam: Located on the Indus River, the Tarbela Dam is one of the largest earth-filled
dams in the world. It forms the Tarbela Reservoir, which is a key water storage facility for
irrigation, flood control, and hydropower generation.
Mangla Dam: Situated on the Jhelum River, the Mangla Dam is another significant
multipurpose dam in Pakistan. It helps regulate the flow of the Jhelum River and provides water
for irrigation, as well as generating hydroelectric power.
Warsak Dam: Constructed on the Kabul River, the Warsak Dam serves as a multipurpose
facility, contributing to irrigation, flood control, and power generation.
Barrages:
The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) includes several important barrages. Some of the key
barrages within the IBIS are:
Chashma Barrage: Located on the River Indus, the Chashma Barrage helps regulate water
flow and provides irrigation water to the surrounding areas.
Guddu Barrage: Positioned on the River Indus, the Guddu Barrage is an important structure
for diverting water into canals for irrigation purposes.
These barrages, along with others within the IBIS, are essential for managing water resources
and supporting agriculture in Pakistan.
Canals:
The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) includes a vast network of canals. Some of the major
canals within the IBIS are:
Indus River: The main stem of the Indus River itself serves as a natural canal and is the
primary water source for the entire irrigation system.
Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal: This canal diverts water from the Chashma Barrage on the
Indus River to the Jhelum River, contributing to the efficient distribution of water resources.
Upper Jhelum Canal: This canal originates from the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River and
provides water for irrigation in the region.
Lower Chenab Canal: Originating from the Marala Headworks on the Chenab River, this
canal is one of the largest irrigation canals in the world and plays a significant role in providing
water to agricultural lands.
Panjnad Canal: Formed by the confluence of five rivers, the Panjnad Canal serves as a major
distributary of the Indus River and provides water for irrigation in southern Punjab.
Thal Canal: The Thal Canal is an important irrigation canal that diverts water from the Indus
River to irrigate the Thal desert region in Punjab, Pakistan.
Taunsa Barrage Canal: Originating from the Taunsa Barrage on the River Indus, this canal
is a significant component of the IBIS, providing water for irrigation purposes.
Figure 4: Irrigation Area of IBIS
Advantages of IBIS:
Large-Scale Irrigation: The IBIS is the largest continuous irrigation system in the world,
allowing for the irrigation of vast amounts of agricultural land, leading to significant food
production. The IBIS provides water to over 1.6 million km2 of Pakistan’s agricultural land.
Water Management: The system of large and small dams, along with numerous canals, helps
in effective water management, controlling the flow of water based on the needs of different
regions and seasons.
Food Security: The IBIS plays a critical role in maintaining food security for Pakistan by
enabling the cultivation of various crops throughout the year. The IBIS makes 40% more land
available for agriculture. Irrigation has increased crop yields of wheat (38%), rice (39%) and
fruit (150%).
Employment: The agriculture sector in Pakistan employs a significant portion of the
population. The existence of IBIS facilitates this employment by supporting farming activities.
Hydropower Production: The large dams within the system, such as Tarbela and Mangla,
also generate hydroelectric power, contributing to the country’s energy needs.
Disadvantages of IBIS:
Waterlogging and Salinity: Over-irrigation can lead to waterlogging and salinity problems in
the soil, making it less fertile and productive. This is a significant issue in the Indus Basin.
Environmental Impact: Dams disrupt the natural flow of rivers, impacting aquatic
ecosystems and sometimes causing biodiversity loss. They can also lead to people’s
displacement and cultural heritage sites’ loss due to flooding of areas behind the dam.
Sedimentation: Dams in the IBIS trap sediment which would naturally fertilize fields
downstream. Over time, this can decrease soil fertility downstream while reducing the dam’s
water storage capacity due to sediment build-up.
Maintenance Costs: The upkeep of large infrastructure like dams and canals can be expensive.
These costs often rise as the infrastructure ages.
Dependence on Monsoons: The system’s effectiveness largely depends on the monsoons.
Unpredictable changes or variations in monsoon patterns can impact the water availability in
the system.
Figure 5: Schematic Diagram of IBIS

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ASSIGNMENT

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Figure 1: Indus River

Figure 2:Water Quantity

Figure 3: Components of IBIS

Figure 4: Irrigation Area of IBIS

Figure 5: Schematic Diagram of IBIS

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