Surface irrigation is a gravity irrigation system where the water is distributed over the surface of the soil.  This irrigation method is the oldest form of irrigation.

Ideally the land is slightly sloped or levelled enough for the water to distribute evenly over the surface. The more levelled the land, the more efficient the flooding will be. Based on the design, operation and management the efficiency of the system can be between 45% to 75%.

Suitable for closely spaced crops, with deep roots and growing rice in paddy fields.

There are four major surface irrigation types:

The surface irrigation system components are:

 

	water supply (channel, ditch, river, dam)
	water conveyance or delivery (field channel/ditch, check, layflat pipe etc.)
	water use (furrow, border, etc.)
	drainage

For the complete system to work well, each must work conjunctively toward the common goal of promoting maximum on-farm production. Historically, the elements of this type of irrigation system have not functioned well as a system and the result has too often been very poor, delivering low irrigation efficiencies.

Each surface irrigation system has unique advantages and disadvantages depending on the following factors:

 

	initial cost
	size and shape of fields
	soil characteristics
	nature and availability of water supply
	climate
	cropping patterns
	social preferences and structures
	historical experiences

The aim of this website is to present the hi-tech irrigation methods. Therefore, the surface irrigation is not presented in greater detail.