Quantifying Seepage and Evaporation Loss Reductions through Canal Lining: A Field Study from Nakada, Egypt

This study investigates the impact of canal lining on agricultural water efficiency in Nakada, Egypt, by analyzing seepage and evaporation losses. The study area irrigation network covers a length of 110 kilometers and serves an area of 98,600 hectares of agricultural land. Findings reveal a significant 81% reduction in seepage losses due to lining, reduction from an average of 4,776 m³/day in unlined sections to 906 m3/day in lined sections in the case of canals, annual working days (210 days). Using empirical formulas and field ponding tests, the study calibrated seepage models to reflect local soil and canal conditions. Furthermore, evaporation losses also recorded measurable improvement, underscoring the effectiveness of canal rehabilitation in enhancing water management. The study provides a reproducible framework for quantifying water savings in arid regions and offers data-driven recommendations for water policy and canal rehabilitation programs. While emphasizing long-term sustainability, operational efficiency, and the integration of field-based hydraulic assessments.