sidekanalit

Sidekanalit are secondary watercourses that branch off from a main canal or river and form a network of parallel or crossing channels. The term is used in civil and environmental engineering to describe channels that convey water to specific areas, distribute flow, or facilitate drainage within a watershed.

Design and operation: Sidekanalit can be natural or artificial. They vary in cross-section and gradient, and may diverge and later rejoin the main channel. Control structures such as gates, culverts, and weirs regulate discharge, invert level, and routing. Sediment management is often necessary, including dredging or sediment traps. In some arid regions, lining reduces seepage losses and improves efficiency.

Applications: They support irrigation networks by delivering water to farms, help manage flood peaks by diverting surplus water, and serve urban drainage systems. In some configurations, they provide redundancy in the water distribution network and can create linear habitat zones along river banks.

Operational and environmental considerations: Siting, hydraulics, and structural integrity drive design. Maintenance costs, sedimentation, debris blockage, and ecological impact are important. Data from flow meters and gate positions inform daily operation to meet target discharges and water availability.

Terminology and scope: The term reflects the idea of side channels accompanying a main watercourse. Related concepts include side channels or distributaries in branched river systems and feeder canals in irrigation schemes.