According to Kennedy, the critical velocity (V0) in metres in a channel is the mean velocity which keeps the channel free from silting or scouring. Its value is given by (where m is critical velocity ratio and D is the depth of the channel).

Irrigation engineering is the process of artificially supplying water to the soil in order to grow crops. It is the science of designing and planning an efficient, low-cost irrigation system that is tailored to natural conditions.

Irrigation engineering is also being used to research water recycling methods and develop new ways of minimizing water seepage and evaporation loss.