Direct irrigation using a weir or barrage (canal irrigation) is generally preferred in alluvial soil as compared to storage irrigation. Alluvial soil is a fine-grained fertile soil and due to its porosity and texture provides good drainage making it highly productive and suitable for agriculture.

The process of silt deposition over a long period of time resulting in formation of soil is called alluvial soil. It has a flat surface slope and even area. Hard foundations are generally not available in this kind of soil.

A feeder canal is used to feed anor canal and no direct irrigation is carried out from it. A protective canal is constructed to provide employment in famine-affected area. A lined canal is provided with a lining of impervious material to prevent seepage of water. A contour canal has to cross drainage and hence, cross drainage works are required.

An inundation canal is a canal which gets its supplies only when water level in river from which it takes off rises during floods. They obtain ir supplies through open cuts in banks of river.

The disintegration of mountainous rocks over a period of time resulting in formation of a rocky plain area called non-alluvial soils. It has uneven topography and hard foundations are available in this soil.

A navigation canal is constructed to provide various navigation facilities. The velocity of flowing water should be small for easy movement of small ships and barges in direction of flow of water as well as in opposite direction.

A permanent canal is one that is fed by a permanent source of supply. The provision of permanent regulation and distribution works is made in permanent canal. It is furr classified as Perennial canals and non-perennial canals.

A carrier canal is a canal used for both direct irrigation and for feeding water to anor canal. Thus, it acts as an irrigation canal as well as a feeder canal. Upper Chenab Canal is an example of this type of canal.

After development of canal system revenue obtained from cultivators is such that it is more than maintenance expenditure. This exceeding amount of revenue is so adjusted that it is about 2% of cost of canal system. With this rate, total cost of project will be recovered in about 50 years.

Non-alluvial soils are formed by disintegration of mountainous rocks. Due to its uneven topography and rocky mass formed after disintegration, hard foundations are generally available.