Excerpt from Principles of Irrigation Engineering: Arid Lands, Water Supply, Storage, Works, Dams, Canals, Water, Rights and Products

In the following pages an attempt is made to give an outline of the fundamental questions involved in undertaking and carrying out an irrigation enterprise. In presenting this matter in the form of a treatise on Irrigation Engineering, it is intended primarily for the use of students and engineers who desire to become acquainted with the general principles involved in considering the feasibility of, and in planning, constructing and operating irrigation systems. An attempt has also been made, however, to present the subject matter in such form that it may be read with profit by persons interested in irrigation, but without a thorough technical knowledge of the subject of hydraulics.

It is not possible in a book of ordinary length, to go into all of the details essential to successful irrigation construction and operation. The broader and more general aspects of the subject therefore are presented with the assumption, that where further details are necessary, it will be possible for the student to find them in one of the many technical books now available. The purpose of the work is therefore to assist the student and engineer by pointing out the essential questions to which special attention must be given.

In attempting to give this broad survey, the presentation has been made as simple and concise as possible. It is appreciated that even with engineers of large experience, there are certain broad principles, which though elementary, are worthy of frequent reconsideration. These principles when applied to new problems are frequently suggestive of different viewpoints and lead to a more thorough understanding of the work in hand. The designation, "The Principles of Irrigation Engineering, " has thus been selected as indicative of the attempted scope of the work.

Irrigation Engineering in its broadest aspects may be defined as the development of the water resources of the arid regions as relating to their conservation and use as a part of the wealth of the nation. More specifically, it deals with the methods of holding, controlling and distributing the waters needed in agriculture, and further, those matters which lead to financial success in the investments then made.

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