Canal and it's types

Canal

A canal is an artificial channel made by men to carry water to fields from rivers or any source of water for various purposes like irrigation. Canals are also built to connect two water bodies for navigation purposes. Electricity can also be generated with canal.

So, based on their purposes canals are of following types –

1.  Irrigation Canal
2. Power canal or Hydel canal
3. Navigation canal

1. Irrigation canal

The canal that carries water for agricultural purposes is called the irrigation canal.

Example: Ganga canal, Indira Gandhi canal, Narmada canal etc.

2. Power canal or Hydel canal

The canal that carries water to power stations for generation of electricity is called power or the Hydel canal.

Example: Nangal Hydel canal.

3.  Navigation canal

The canal which is constructed for the purpose of navigation facilities is called navigation canals. These canals are built for saving time and fuel by making large distances small. The velocity of water in navigation canals should be very low so that small ships, large ships, and barges can move in both directions to the flow and opposite to flow.

Example: Panama canal, Suez canal, etc.