Ancient irrigation canals in the Alps

摘要

A short account is given of old irrigation channels -- some excavated in the stone substrate, others incorporating wood work -- in the Italian Alps, particularly Piedmont. Damage to some of these works during flooding in October 2000 has, in some areas, had serious effects on valley land downstream, as the capacity of the channels to contain and control water during periods of high precipitation in the Alps has been compromised. A certain amount of repair and re-excavation has been undertaken to maintain the efficiency of these old water systems.