Course code VidZ3011

Credit points 4.50

Land Reclamation

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24

Independent study hours72

Date of course confirmation24.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstutute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering

Course developer

author

Olga Šķiste

Mg. sc. ing.

Prior knowledge

BūvZ3135, Geodesy I

BūvZ3138, Geodesy II

LauZ2056, Geology and Soil Science

Replaced course

VidZB001 [GVIDB001] Land Reclamation

Course abstract

In this course tasks, functions and methods of land drainage to remove excess soil water providing necessary conditions for intensive farming has been presented. Course provides advanced knowledge on the drainage planning, parameters and their calculation methods, design of drainage structures, construction works, materials.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completion of the course students:
• know and understand the basic concepts of the soil water regime, how to develop suitable conditions for crops depending on agricultural practice and technology - test;
• are able to assess soil moisture balance and use of water resources with the scope of land reclamation systems and agricultural use of land - test;
• are able to evaluate technical conditions of land reclamation systems and structures and to find out imperfections and failures and necessity of repair work - six practical jobs.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies:
1. Introduction. History of land reclamation in Latvia, its tasks and breakdown. Laws and normative documents. (1h)
2. Soil. Structure and division. Water division in the soil and hydro-physical characteristics. Water balance, excessive soil moisture and its division. (2h)
3. The impact of artificial drainage systems on soil physical conditions. Artificial drainage systems, its components and working principles. (1h)
4. Hydrology, its application in practice. The methodology for discharge assessment of open ditches and tile drain systems. (2h)
5. Hydraulics. Hydrodynamics and hydrostatics. The assessment of dimensions for the building structures in the water bodies. Flow velocity, water levels and its application for the assessment of stability of stream beds as well as the methodology for the application of appropriate materials for the strengthen stream bed and embankments. (2h)
6. Land reclamation systems its division and the set of measures that belongs to work complex of land reclamation systems. The methods of optimising the soil moisture by the artificial drainage systems within the territories of different causes of excessive soil moisture. (2h)
7. The technique for the soil moisture reduction, collection of overland flow and deepening of groundwater levels. (2h) 1st test. (1 – 7. lectures themes)
8. Artificial drainage systems consisting of open waterbodies. Assessment of the utility and weak points of those systems. Designing principles and dimensions of artificial drainage systems consisting of open waterbodies. (2h)
9. Subsurface drainage systems. The principles for designing the coverage of the tile drains and the distance between tiles over the fields, tile depth and the diameters of the appropriate tile drain pipe materials. The parameters of collectors and its working principles. (2h)
10. Building structures in the artificial drainage systems, drainage outlets, wells for controlling drainage system, wells for collection of the overland flow and springs. (1h)
11. “Green structures” in the artificial drainage systems. The building for the increase of biodiversity and the purification of the agricultural runoff. (2h)
12. Irrigation. The deficit of the water consumption and the necessity of irrigation. The regime of irrigation, irrigation norms and doses for water supply. (2h)
13. The system of Irrigation and its constructive elements. Techniques and methods for field irrigation. The sources of the water appropriate for irrigation. (1h)
14. The exploitation and maintenance of land management systems. The reconstruction and renovation measures. (1h)
15. The tasks for preservation of the land management systems. Controlled drainage with drainage and irrigation functions and its maintenance. (1h) 2nd test. (8 – 15. lectures themes)
Topics for practical works:
1. Reading of the topography and drainage project plans (3h)
2. Planning of renewal or new drainage systems consisting of open waterbodies (3 h)
3. Hydrological and hydraulic calculations of ditches (4h)
4. Open waterbodies drainage system characteristics estimation, calculation of volumes for construction works, drawing of profiles. (5h)
5. Solutions of rebuilding of subsurface drainage system (4h)
6. Tile drainage system characteristics estimation, calculation of volumes for construction works, drawing of profiles.(5h)
Part-time studies:
All topics specified for full-time studies are implemented, but the number of contact hours is 1/2 of the specified number of hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

1. Two tests on the theoretical part of the course have been successfully completed during the semester.
2. Six practical works have been successfully developed during the semester.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Every student must prepare independently for two tests. In the tests there will be question based on the topics of lectures.
2. Practical works will be worked out in the auditorium. Descriptive part and graphical design should be done in accordance with task, guidelines for student works and lecturers directions during practical work.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of learning outcomes is based on the amount of points obtained in test and practical works. Overall maximum 100 points can be obtained corresponding to mark 10.
Tasks to be done:
1. two test where it is possible to earn 20 points (a total of 40 points);
2. six practical works where up to 10 points can be obtained (total maximum 60 points).

Compulsory reading

1. Kļaviņš U., Sudārs R. Meliorācija: mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU, 2016. 239 lpp.
2. Strūbergs J. Meliorācijas sistēmu uzturēšana. Rokasgrāmata. Jelgava, 2005. 31 lpp.

Further reading

1. Uzņēmumu tehniskie noteikumi (nozares standarts) „Meliorācijas sistēmas”. Rīga, 2009. 174 lpp. [Tiešsaiste] [Skatīts 12.03.2021.]. Pieejams: http://www.zmni.lv/nozares-standarts/
2. Zīverts A. Ievads hidroloģijā. Jelgava, LLU, 1997. 111 lpp.
3. Noteikumi par Latvijas būvnormatīvu LBN 224 – 15 „Meliorācijas sistēmas un hidrauliskās būves”: MK noteikumi Nr. 329. [Tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts 30.06.2015. Stājas spēkā 01.07.2015. [Skatīts 12.03.2021.]. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/274993-noteikumi-par-latvijas-buvnormativu-lbn-224-15-melioracijas-sistemas-un-hidrotehniskas-buves-

Periodicals and other sources

Agro Tops. Zinātniski praktisks žurnāls zinātniekiem, agronomiem, zemniekiem. Pieejams: http://www.agrotops.lv/. ISSN 1417-5164

Notes

Professional higher education bachelor study program “Land Management and Surveying” full-time studies and part-time studies.