The Irrigation in NWFP started with a bold attempt by constructing an inundation canal from the right bank of River Kabul at the end of 17th century during the reign of historical Moughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. Jue-Sheikh canal of Kabul River system was commissioned at that time. The Irrigation Department of NWFP became independent in the sixties after the differentitation of Public Works Department (PWD) working on those same specified rules. It is responsible for the development and O&M of centuries old irrigation systems.

Some of the old canals and systems are as follows

1. Kabul River canal, Irrigating the lands of Nowshera and Peshawar Districts was established in 1883.
2. Lower Swat Canal caters for irrigation supplies to District Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar and was constructed in 1895.
3. Upper Swat Canal System was constructed in 1914 that includes recognizable Benton tunnel to irrigate lands of Malakand Agency and Districts of Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi and Nowshera. The additional advantages of this canal leads to two Hydel Projects of 20 MW each at Jabban and Dargai.
4. Paharpur canal was constructed in 1908 to irrigate lands of D I Khan.
5. Warsak Canal System built in 1965 on construction of Warsak Dam, caters for irrigation supplies to Peshawar and Nowshera Districts.
6. Chashma Right Bank Canal and Pehur Level Canals have been recently completed in response to the signing of Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 to augment the existing supplies and bring new areas under the command.