HYDERABAD: American irrigation expert Prof Dr Charles Burt proposes modifications in existing formulas for flow measurement at barrages and canals’ head regulators to obtain accurate data.

He was delivering his exhaustive lecture on Canal modernisation training programme at Gymkhana Hyderabad on Monday morning. 50 engineers of Sindh irrigation department were attending the training being held Sindh Barrages Improvement Programme (SIBP).

The lecture programme would continue for a couple of days before the expert leaves for Sukkur barrage.

Dr Burt informed the participants how rating curves were to be used while using automation techniques and referred to gauge wells at canals. Some electronic devices could be used in the wells for better flow measurement, he said.

He pointed out that engineers needed to make adjustments and modifications in existing formulas which would certainly improve ratio of accuracy in the flow measurement.

He said that formulas being applied here were 50 to 60 years old and since then ground realities had altogether changed. Hence, the adjustments in formulas would only help improve the accuracy, he said.

The expert said that accurate data was a sine qua non for better flow measurement. Specialised software developed by companies in which different values could be added to get better result for flows, could also be used, he said.

He said that gauge/stilling wells could be fitted with electronic devices and connected with control rooms. Correct data would help resolve different issues related to water flow measurement, he said.

He said that he would take engineers to Hydrology and Research Laboratory Hyderabad to observe a model being built there for calibration.

The officers said that the expert told them that the formulas being applied by them could be changed in view of current needs and changed ground realities.

He said that the changes being suggested were not going to affect anything as values in different formulas would only marginally change. He did not tell officers to give up the existing formulas for developing rating curves and shared different formulas for ratings that could lead to more accuracy, they said.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2022