A Solution of the Irrigation Advance Problem

Dimensionless curves for solution of the infiltration-advance problem in irrigation hydraulics are developed for the case in which infiltration satisfies the equation, y = k t^a. These curves allow the direct determination of either stream size or length of run. The predicted position of the advancing wetting front is compared to measured positions for field data obtained from graded borders and both level and graded furrows. The proposed method is also compared with Hall's method for predicting wetting front advance positions. Empirical equations for the prediction of the depth of flow and average area of surface storage for typical furrows are also presented.