CE-603-A Water Resources Engineering - Jun 2026 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss the development of irrigation in India. Explain the importance of irrigation in agriculture.
   How to answer

   • Stages of irrigation development in India - ancient, British era, post-independence Five Year Plans
   • Major irrigation projects and growth in irrigated area
   • Need and importance of irrigation for agriculture - food security, multiple cropping, drought protection
   • Benefits - yield increase, rural economy, employment
2. 7 Marks
   bWhat are Field Capacity and Wilting Coefficient? Explain their significance in irrigation scheduling.
   How to answer

   • Definition of field capacity as moisture retained after drainage
   • Definition of wilting coefficient / permanent wilting point
   • Range of available moisture between the two
   • Significance in deciding depth, frequency and scheduling of irrigation
3. 7 Marks
   aThe GCA for an irrigation canal is 20,000 hectares, out of which 75% is CCA. The intensity of irrigation is 40% for Rabi and 10% for rice. If the period is 4 weeks for Rabi and 2.5 weeks for rice, determine the outlet discharge. Outlet factors for Rabi and Rice may be assumed as 1800 ha/cumecs and 800 ha/cumecs, respectively. Also, calculate the delta for each case.
   How to answer

   • Compute CCA = 75% of GCA and cropped areas for Rabi and rice
   • Compute outlet discharge Q = Area / Outlet factor for each crop
   • Select governing / total outlet discharge
   • Compute delta using $\Delta = 8.64 B / D$ relation for each case
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain the causes and effects of salt efflorescence and its impact on soil quality and crop productivity.
   How to answer

   • Definition of salt efflorescence / soil salinity
   • Causes - high water table, poor drainage, saline irrigation water, over-irrigation
   • Effects on soil structure, permeability and fertility
   • Impact on crop growth, yield and productivity with control measures
5. 7 Marks
   aExplain the properties of aquifers. Discuss porosity, permeability, transmissibility and storage coefficient.
   How to answer

   • Definition of aquifer and types
   • Porosity - void ratio concept and significance
   • Permeability and hydraulic conductivity
   • Transmissibility and storage coefficient / specific yield
6. 7 Marks
   bDifferentiate between waterlogging and salinity. Explain their remedial measures.
   How to answer

   • Definition of waterlogging vs salinity - excess water vs excess salts
   • Differences in causes, symptoms and effects table
   • Remedial measures for waterlogging - drainage, lining, pumping
   • Remedial measures for salinity - leaching, salt-tolerant crops, soil amendments
7. 7 Marks
   aRain gauge stations A, B, C, D, E and F have normal annual rainfall of 620, 564, 478, 616, 573 and 392 mm respectively. During a storm, stations B, C, D, E and F have reported rainfall of 22, 29, 35, 13 and 25 mm respectively and station A did not report as it was inoperative. Estimate the missing storm rainfall at A by Arithmetic and Average Rainfall method.
   How to answer

   • Check applicability of arithmetic mean vs normal ratio method
   • Compute arithmetic mean of B,C,D,E,F storm rainfall
   • Compute normal ratio estimate using $P_A = N_A/m \sum(P_i/N_i)$
   • Compare both estimates and comment
8. 7 Marks
   bDefine Precipitation. Explain the different forms of precipitation and the factors affecting it.
   How to answer

   • Definition of precipitation
   • Different forms - rain, snow, drizzle, hail, sleet, glaze
   • Factors affecting - temperature, humidity, topography, wind, pressure
   • Measurement relevance
9. 7 Marks
   aWhat do you understand by the rainfall intensity? Explain the methods for the Preparation of the intensity duration curves.
   How to answer

   • Definition of rainfall intensity as depth per unit time
   • Need for intensity-duration-frequency analysis
   • Methods of preparing IDF curves from autographic records
   • Use in design of drainage and hydraulic structures
10. 7 Marks
    bCompare Kennedy's Theory and Lacey's Theory for canal design.
    How to answer

    • Basis of Kennedy's theory - silt supporting eddies
    • Basis of Lacey's theory - regime concept and silt factor
    • Comparison of velocity, scour depth and design equations
    • Merits, demerits and applicability of each
11. 7 Marks
    aDesign an irrigation channel by Kennedy's theory to carry a discharge of 5 cumecs. Take M=1.0, N=0.0225 and B/D ratio = 4.40.
    How to answer

    • Kennedy's velocity equation $V_0 = 0.55 m D^{0.64}$ and continuity $Q = A V$
    • Assume B/D ratio and express area and perimeter in terms of D
    • Solve by trial for depth D using Kutter/Manning with given N
    • Check and finalize B, D, velocity and bed slope
12. 7 Marks
    bExplain the design principles of unlined canals. Discuss the assumptions involved in canal design.
    How to answer

    • Concept of unlined / alluvial canal design
    • Design principles - non-silting, non-scouring velocity
    • Assumptions - steady uniform flow, regime, trapezoidal section
    • Role of silt factor, rugosity and slope
13. 7 Marks
    aExplain the following hydraulic structures:

    1. (i))Head Regulator
    2. (ii))Cross Regulator
    3. (iii))Canal Escape
    4. (iv))Canal Fall
    5. (v))Outlet
    How to answer

    • Function and location of each structure on canal
    • Head regulator - control entry from off-taking channel
    • Cross regulator, escape, fall and outlet - regulation, surplus disposal, level drop, distribution
    • Sketches showing typical layout
14. 7 Marks
    bWhat do you understand by Flood control? Discuss the various types of Flood control reservoirs.
    How to answer

    • Meaning and objectives of flood control
    • Need for storage and detention of flood water
    • Types - retarding, detention, multipurpose reservoirs
    • Operation and selection criteria
15. 7 Marks
    aDiscuss channel routing techniques and explain the Muskingum method with necessary equations.
    How to answer

    • Concept of channel routing - inflow vs outflow hydrograph
    • Types - hydrologic and hydraulic routing
    • Muskingum storage equation $S = K[xI + (1-x)Q]$
    • Routing equations and determination of K and x with procedure
16. 7 Marks
    bDescribe various methods used for flood estimation, including empirical, rational, and unit hydrograph methods. Compare their applicability.
    How to answer

    • Empirical formulae - Dicken, Ryve, Inglis for peak flow
    • Rational method $Q = C i A$ and its assumptions
    • Unit hydrograph method for design flood
    • Comparison of data need, accuracy and applicability