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Why do irrigation canals often rely on gravity to move water?

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Large wheeled irrigation sprinkler sprays water over green crops in a field, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background. — Irrigation Specialized irrigation equipment watering crops in a field.

Irrigation canals rely on gravity to move water because it is the most efficient and cost-effective method for transporting large volumes of water from a source, such as a reservoir, to agricultural land.12

By utilizing the natural downward slope of the terrain, these systems can distribute water across vast distances with minimal reliance on external energy sources. While lift stations or pumps are sometimes necessary to supplement the flow, gravity remains the primary mechanism for moving water through the main supply canals, branches, and laterals that serve individual farms. This reliance on gravity has been a fundamental practice in irrigation since ancient times, allowing for the consistent delivery of water necessary to support crop production.123