Polymeric Geosynthetic Barriers Promote Irrigation Canal Efficiency and Installation Options

Western United States history is inescapably tied to water. Water is the economic foundation of the fastest growing areas in the West. Federal, State, Tribal and local water conservation legislation often facilitates irrigation canal seepage reduction measures. From the All American canal in California to small lateral irrigation canals, seepage makes for intense, often heated discussion in droughty areas. Seven common canal seepage control alternatives are measured against four functional criteria that end users consider important for evaluating canal lining methods. These equally weighted functional criteria are: ease of maintenance, design life, total installed cost and ease of installation. The relative strengths and weaknesses of each alternative are discussed. These alternatives range from performing no lining improvements whatsoever to the use of asphaltic and polymeric geosynthetic barriers. EPDM polymeric geosynthetic barrier (a synthetic rubber) was found to most closely meet the end user's expectations for a canal liner.