The compatibility between the used methods of lining for open
channels in permeable soils is the main indicator about the conservation
efficiency of irrigation water, which means minimizing the quantities of water
losses through the water transportation process. From this standpoint, and
within the framework of the national project for the rehabilitation of irrigation
canals in Egypt, which is implementing nowadays all over the villages of the
Egyptian countryside, this work presents a field study for one of those canals for
which the rehabilitation process is being implemented. The field study carried
out in one of the Middle Egypt villages in the western desert, El-Minia
governorate, to monitor the extent to which the lining being implemented with
the proposed method is compatible with the nature of the canal's area,
topography, soil types, groundwater levels, and so on. The case study that we are
about to present, is for Al- Khofoog canal which is about 6.730 km. long,
engraved in a very fine sandy soil to irrigate about 6000 feddans. It was chosen
due to the problems facing the implementing process, how to overcome and
introduce the most suitable engineering treatments which may more compatible
with the site properties and nature, supported by a quick economic feasibility
study. This field study, that was conducted in the Middle Egypt region, is
presented, hoping that it will be integrated with other similar studies to be
conducted in other regions, representing North and South Egypt, for leading to
develop a guideline, and a map includes the most appropriate rehabilitation
methods in each region, according to its nature, and characteristics in that
region in order to save effort, time, and money, maybe spent for implementing
an unsuitable method, regardless of the site's privacy, nature, and expected
problems.