Start / Water and irrigation / Pumping, energy and cost
See how many cubic meters the reservoir must hold for each shift, how long the pump takes to fill it, and the base dimensions.
Pre-sizing and estimating tool: the results do not replace a design, calculation, or report signed by a qualified professional, nor verification against the applicable standards.
Cross-section of the reservoir with water at full level. The width is to scale; the height is exaggerated so it shows. The base is square, as in the calculation.
Cubic meters to store from one to five shifts; the highlighted bar is your choice.
Hours to fill the tank at different flow rates; the point is your pump.
Drag the controls to simulate data different from what you entered (from 30% less to 30% more) and watch the result change instantly.
Total volume, base side and filling time for depths of 15 to 40 mm, with the shifts and pump entered.
The calculation done in steps, with the values you entered.
The calculation memo gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions, and references, with fields for project, responsible person, and review. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print window, choose Save as PDF.
Enter the irrigated area, depth per shift, application efficiency, how many shifts the tank must hold, losses, usable depth, and pump flow. The calculator shows the volume per shift, the total volume, the base dimensions, and the filling time.
20 ha, 25 mm depth, 85% efficiency, 1 shift of reserve, 10% losses, 3 m depth and a 60 m³/h pump.
Per shift = 20 × 25 × 10 ÷ 0.85 = 5,882 m³. Total = 5,882 × 1 × 1.10 = 6,471 m³. Square base = √(6,471 ÷ 3) = 46.4 m. Filling time = 6,471 ÷ 60 = 108 h.
Because 1 mm is 0.001 m of water depth. One hectare has 10,000 m². So 0.001 × 10,000 = 10 m³.
Because not all the pumped water reaches the crop. Part is lost in conveyance and application, and the reservoir must store the volume the pump has to deliver.
It is how many shifts the reservoir must be able to supply without refilling, for example during irregular rainfall or a power outage.
No. It gives the volume and the order of magnitude of the dimensions. The dam and spillway design is the work of an engineer, with soil and watershed studies.
Important notice: the Agrocalcs tools make estimates and preliminary sizing based on the data entered and on published engineering methods. They do not replace a design, a calculation report or a report signed by a qualified professional (CREA/ART), nor verification against the applicable technical standards and legislation, such as the Regulatory Standards of the Ministry of Labor. Material and fuel properties vary: check with the manufacturer or with analyses of your process before deciding. By using the site, you agree to the Terms of Use.
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