Canals originate from which type of structure?

Correct answer: Headworks. Canals take off from headworks, which control the diversion of river water.

Background: A headwork is a structure on a river, such as a barrage or weir, that raises the water level so it can be diverted into canals.

• Barrage: A barrage is one structure within headworks, while canals originate from the headworks as a whole.
• Dam: A dam stores water in a reservoir.
• Bridge: A bridge carries traffic across a river.

Did you know? Pakistan’s Sukkur Barrage (completed in 1932) feeds one of the largest irrigation systems in the world.

Memory trick: Head of the canal = headworks.