'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1904-1905' [‎158r] (91/116)

i904-1905.]
IRRIGATION*
67
The Gaja Extension Project, estimated to cost Rs. 1,99,836 , e Works ^ only, was commenced
in February* This project provides for a tail to a branch of the Fuleli, called the Gaja Wah,
the lower portion of which is now fed direct from the river by the Hasanali Canal of which it
is now a part.
Steam launches have ceased to ply since the opening of the Hyderabad-Badin Railway,
but the boat traffic has not diminished, and is not likely to do so, unless the railway
rates are considerably lowered. The quantity of produce carried by country craft exceeded
500,000 maunds.
The new mouth of the Hasanali Canal, which, as stated above, now feeds the lower part of
the Gaja Wah, was completed at a cost of Rs. 1,97,283.
The Great Marak worked well, but the supply in the Sarfraz and Alibahar was interfered
with by erosion at their mouths, and new mouths will be cut, which, it is hoped, will give a
better supply for a few years if the river keeps steady.
The principal canals under this head are the Naulakhi, Mehrab, Dambro, Ren, Gharo
Mahmudo and Nash, which worked fairly well. Projects are under preparation for the
improvement ®£ the Naulakhi and Ren.
For some years past Contour Surveys have been in progress in all parts of this Division,
.and are now completed with the exception of the Fuleli Canals District which will be completed
next year, and the Eastern Nara Survey, which was commenced in the year under report.
The only river embankment which was in danger owing to erosion of the river bank, was
the Naulakhi-Bhorti Bund in the Northeren Hyderabad Canals District. A loop bund was
constructed at the south end of it last year, and another loop is now under construction at its
northern end. Efforts are being made to grow trees -and jungle in front of the bunds, as this
is the best and cheapest method of protecting them from the wave wash caused by high winds.
Several nurseries have been established and tree-planting along canals is being carried on.
Endeavours have also been made to prevent drift sand from filling up canals by hedges
and plantations.
Indus River Commission.
During the year topographic surveys were made of a total aggregate length of about 243
miles. In addition, combined hydrographic and topographic surveys were made near Sukkur
' and Ghorabari. The total length surveyed was 310 miles and the expenditure Rs. 18,925.
These hydrographic surveys will form a very useful record of changes in the river, of waich
there is at present no record. Attention was paid to the question of the erosion of banks and
the depth of scour under varying velocities. Gauges were erected for the purpose of studying
surface gradients^ but unfortunately, owing to the difficulty of finding satisfactory positions,
most of these were washed away or destroyed by boatmen before any proper recoid was obtained.
Special borings were carried out immediately above Sukkur with a view to determine the
possibility of building a weir across the river at that point. The work was not completed and
will be resumed probably next cold weather. So far as completed, the borings established the
existence of a continuous rock foundation across the river.
The discharges were measured regularly at Sukkur and Kotri throughout the inundation
season and at intervals during the cold weather, the velocities being taken by Haskell current
meters- The maximum discharge measured at Sukkur during the year was 542,739 cubic feet
per second on the 5th August 1904, when the mean velocity was 7 /6 feet per second and the
reading on the Bukkur gauge was 15*70 feet. The highest reading on the gauge was 15 8 on
the 6th August 1904. The minimum discharge measured at Sukkur was 27,751 cubic feet per
second on the 27th January 1905, the mean velocity was 1*1/ feet per sec; nd and the Bukkur
gauge read 1*3 feet. The lowest gauge reading was 1*2 on the 3rd March 1905.
A comparison of the discharges of the river at Sukkur during the inundation months,
June to September, in the years 1902-1903 to 1904-1905 is given below
Average discharge of the season
Maximum discharge of the season
Minimum do. •••
Minimum measured discharge of the year
1902-03.
1903-04.
1904-05.
Cusecs.
Cusecs.
Cusecs.
• ••
• • •
207,459
475,225
86,000
340,131
592,147
148,831
311,125
542,739
96.198
• ••
18,947
31,360
27,751
Silt experiments were continued at Sukkur. The minimum quantity m suspension m
the cold weather w^as found to be 199*76 grains per cubic foot at a depth oi 4 feet below the
surface, and the maximum quantity in the inundation was 2,397 12 grains per cubic toot at a
depth of 15 feet.
The total expenditure under this head was Rs. 148,370. The work done consisted
principally of constructing short lengths of river embankment and streng emng exit ing
embankments where necessary '‘and of cutting new mouths to two canals and improving the
mouths of two others.
Chap. IV.
PRODUCTION"
AND
DISTRIBUTION-
Hasanali Canal.
Canals in the Central
Hyderabad Canals
Districts.
Works for which
only Revenue
Accounts are kept*
Surveys,
River Bunds.
Plantations,
Discharges cf the
Indus,
Silt experiments.
Extensions and
improvements.