D. ALLWIN AND MADHAVI GANESAN
Abstract
Irrigation Tanks are part of an ancient tradition of harvesting and preserving the local rainfall and water from streams and rivers for later use, primarily for agriculture and drinking water, but also for sacred bathing and ritual. The purposes for which tanks have been developed over the years have been lost mainly because of silting up of the tank among other factors. Geophysical survey was conducted in the deepest portion of the tank to delineate highly permeable zone for desilting. In that permeable zone, infiltration test were carried out at different location and depth. Soil samples were collected at each location on both the tank where the infiltration tests were carried out and finally soil texture analysis have been carried out in the laboratory. Based on these, a methodology is suggested for selective desilting of tanks to increase recharge capacity at minimal cost.