By Scout Nelson
Irrigation canal safety in western Nebraska is being transformed through an innovative, non-invasive method developed by Mohamed Khalil, a Husker geoscientist with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
His time-lapse electrical analysis detects canal seepage and ground movement more precisely than traditional methods, ensuring better canal maintenance and agricultural sustainability.
Khalil focused his study on the Sutherland Supply Canal, which runs from Lake Ogallala to the Sutherland Reservoir in Keith and Lincoln counties. Funded by a $53,184 grant from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), his project analyzed canal structures that have supported irrigation since the 1890s.
“The process started in the field by collecting high-quality data,” Khalil said. “We can collect thousands of data points within two to three hours.”
Khalil’s analysis compared electrical readings from when the canal was full in August 2023 and empty in October 2023, creating two-dimensional subsurface images that identified seepage zones. His technique helps locate leaks accurately, minimizing damage and cutting maintenance costs for utilities and ratepayers.
By injecting current into the ground through 513 electrodes, he measured electrical resistance and analyzed how moisture altered conductivity — a key indicator of water seepage. This innovative, low-cost technique improves irrigation system reliability and water availability for agriculture while preventing salinity and waterlogging problems.
His research team, including Matt Joeckel, Doug Hallum, and Michael Krondak, published the findings in the Journal of Applied Geophysics. NPPD is already using the results to improve canal maintenance and long-term monitoring.
“The technique has limits, but to me its applications are nearly limitless,” Joeckel said.
Khalil’s approach extends beyond canals, offering potential benefits for studying groundwater contamination, aquifers, dams, and environmental structures. With over 3,000 dams in Nebraska — 5% classified as high-hazard — this technology provides critical insight for future infrastructure safety and water management.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-songbird839
Categories: Nebraska, Equipment & Machinery