CHAPTER II

CANAL SURVEYS

Instructions for Survey work :

1. Before starting the survey work, permanent bench mark will be established at suitable
places. The bench mark will be connected to the G.T.S bench mark & the words B.M & R.L
shall be conspicuously painted/engraved on the bench marks. Important levels will be
checked by the Executive Engineer. The Sub Engineer entrusted with the surveys shall be
fully responsible for the correctness of surveys & levels. The extent of checking to be
exercised by the S.D.O & E.E is indicated in the responsibility chart Appendix 7.02 of W.D
Manual. (as shown below):

S.E E.E S.D.O Sub

Engineer

(1) Checking R.Ls of permanent B.M 10% 25% 100% 100%

(2) Checking R.Ls of final alignment - 10% 100% 100%

of canal

2. Printed field & level books having machine numbered pages shall only be used. Account of
level books/field books shall be maintained as that of measurement books. The same
importance as for measurement book is prescribed for level/field books. The date of first
entry shall be intimated to the Sub Division & Division by the actual user. The level/field
books shall be returned to Division office for record after plotting is done.

3. The reducing of levels should be done in the field immediately after levelling.

4. The levels taken on a day should be plotted the same day as far as possible or latest by the
next day.

The persons who conduct survey and levelling should themselves plot the survey. Before
shifting of survey camp, a certificate should be sent to the S.D.O that all the plotting work
has been completed. Bench marks should be fixed by double fly levelling.

5. The theodolits shall invariably be used for survey & setting of curves for canals carrying
discharge above one cumec.

6. The survey party for double fly levelling shall be headed by the S.D.O
Levelling

The technique of determining the relative height of different points on ground is

called levelling.

Precision levelling is the base of canal design.

Survey carried out may deceive the complete design if the levelling is incorrect. It
may cause following incurable problems:-

(1) Total failure of canal system if practically bed of canal is higher than L.S.L of the
reservoir.

(2) Partial failure of canal system if actual bed slope is not in accordance with the
designed bed slope.

(3) Reduction in velocity due to flatter than designed bed slope, thus increase in silt
deposition and less discharging capacity of canal.

(4) Increase in velocity due to steeper than designed bed slope which may scour the
canal & reduce the driving head required for off- taking canals.

(5) Obstruction by cross drainage works if top of barrel is above designed bed level of
canal.

(6) Variation in quantity of cutting & filling, ultimately affecting the economy of work and
at last wastage of man power and money which was put for survey, design &
construction.

While surveying, the principle of survey should always be kept in mind which is The
work should be carried out from whole to the part.

Thus before taking cross-section etc. fix bench-marks at suitable locations by Double
Fly levelling which should be cross-checked by Single Fly levelling. While detailed
surveying along the alignment, cross-checking of work by touching these B.M points, is a
must.

Checking of instrument before levelling, by two-pegs method:

 Two pegs method:

(1) Fix two pegs A & B on ground at a fixed distance say 50m.

(2) Set up the levelling instrument at C exactly middle of points A & B.

(3) After bisecting the staff at A, see that the spirit level bubble is exactly at the middle.
If not, bring it to the middle by adjusting foot screws. Take reading.

(4) Now, bisect the staff at B. See that Spirit level bubble is exactly at the middle. If not
bring it to the middle by adjusting foot screws. Take reading.

(5) Note down the difference between A & B readings.

(6) Now shift the instrument at an unmeasured point D. Take reading at A & B.
Difference between the readings should tally exactly with that obtained in (4) above.
If not, the instrument is faulty & should be corrected by adjusting diaphragm by
means of diaphragms screws. (Loosening one & tightening other)

This should be done till the difference does not tally with that obtained in S.No (4)
above.

Double Fly Levelling :

The Double Fly levelling is done where high precision levelling is required, such as
shifting of G.T.S bench marks, temporary & permanent bench marks, on canal alignments,
submergence piller fixation etc. In this method one staff & two levelling instruments are
used. The reading is taken simultaneously on the same staff by two persons by different
instruments & levels instantly reduced and tallied. In case of difference, reading is taken
again. As the levels are reduced instantly, it is necessary to apply arithmetic check at the
close of work, to avoid common calculation mistakes.

Double Fly levelling is not Fool Proof if, (i) the staff is not held properly (ii) in
telescopic staff, if the staff is not fully opened. The values obtained by double fly levelling
should be cross-checked again by single fly levelling to ensure correctness. The party for
Double Fly levelling should be headed by S.D.O as per instructions given in U.S.R 1984.

Labour required for Survey :

(i) Chain & compass Survey :

Ranging 3
Pegs preparation 1
Pegman 1
Chainman 2
Compassman 1
Axeman 2
Waterman 1
Watchman (Chowkidar) 1
---
Total 12

(ii) Levelling :

Chainman 2
Staffman 1
Instrument man 1
Umbrella man 1
Waterman 1
Axeman 2
---
Total 8

As per U.S.R for canals having discharge more than 1 cumec theodolite shall invariably
be used.

Instructions for maintaining level books.

(Refer Appendix 7.01 of W.D Manual 1983)

(1) It should be machine numbered.

(2) Its pages should be machine numbered.

 (3) On top of the left hand page Levels taken for the purpose of .
should be written every day.
In case survey is continued above heading with reference like Survey
Continued, survey concluded should be written.

(4) Name of person, conducting levelling, instrument No., make, weather (like
bright sun, cloudy, hazy etc.0 should be written on the top of right hand page. In
case of DOUBLE LEVELLING name of person accompanying alongwith his
designation should also be written. In such a case, the level books should be
countersigned by the other person in token of having accompanied & the book
number in which countersigning person has recorded levels will also be mentioned.

(5) Recording in pencil & inking over is prohibited.

(6) Arithmatic check should be conducted for each page separately.

(7) The days work should end on a reliably established mark.

(8) At the end of level book, clear index be written.

(9) Blank pages should be crossed out.

(10) A remark must be given in Red ink, when survey is plotted.