Water Logging Problem of Irrigated Land

Water Logging:

An agricultural land is said to be water-logged, when is productivity gets affected by the high
water table.

Effects of Water Logging:

 Yield reduction
 Less aeration
 Normal cultivation operations, such as tilting, ploughing etc. are hampered
 Certain water loving plants like grassess, weeds etc grow profusely and affects crop
growth
 water logging leads to salinity problem

Causes of Water Logging:

 Over and intensive irrigation

 Seepage of water from the adjoining high lands
 Seepage of water through the canals
 Impervious obstruction
 Inadequate natural drainage
 Inadequate surface drainage
 Excessive rains
 Submergence due to floods
 Irregular or flat topography

Control of Water Logging:

 Lining of canals and water courses

 Reducing the intensity of irrigation
 By introducing crop-rotation
 By optimum use of water
 By providing intercepting drains
 By provision of efficient drainage system
 By improving the natural drainage of the area
 By adopting consumptive use of surface and sub-surface water

References:

Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures, S. K Garg, Chapter 6 - "Reclamation of Water

Logged and Saline Soils for Agricultural Purposes"

Dr. Mostafa Ali, Professor, DWRE, BUET Page 1