Geoelectrical Measurements for Agricultural Canal Seepage Detection

The protection of water resources is a current problem at a global scale, especially in regions where this resource is poorly available. In this respect there is an increased pressure on water managers to improve water use efficiency. The use of geophysical tests as a tool for managing the efficiency of irrigation networks is well documented in literature since they have an high potential for canal seepage identification and quantification. In this respect, the present study is focused on the use of electrical resistivity methods on some sample canals of the Piedmont Region network. The results obtained have underlined the usefulness of geophysical methods in detecting local anomalies in the lining, potentially related to seepage losses, by means of waterborne CVES and in imaging the passage of saline tracer tests plumes, to be used for a quantification of the seepage losses, using cross-flow high-speed ERT.