The main canal takes its supplies directly from the river through the head regulator and acts as a feeder canal supplying water to branch canals and major distributaries. Usually, direct irrigation is not carried out from the main canal. Branch canals (also called ‘branches’) take their supplies from the main canal. Branch canals generally carry a discharge higher than 5 m3/s and act as feeder canals for major and minor distributaries. Large branches are rarely used for direct irrigation. However, outletsare provided on smaller branches for direct irrigation. Major distributaries (also called ‘distributaries’ or rajbaha) carry 0.25 to 5 m3/s of discharge.