Irrigation and drainage

Holds rrigation and drainage facilities such as reservoirs and canals to prevent floods and store irrigation water

a sophisticated water-distribution system (AB ev)

ICOMOS: "There is an impressive series of at least nine cultivation terraces on the east and south of the rock. They are interconnected by means of stone steps and have a sophisticated system for drainage."

Alby

artificial ponds

The Proserpina and Cornalvo dams, both still functioning, are the most remarkable surviving examples of Roman water management systems. (AB)

"The single surviving floodgate (there were originally two), known as Puksumun, is a well built sluice gate on the upstream side of the Fortress, used to control the flow of the stream running througb the site." - AB document

Several waterworks, dams, canals to irrigate the gardens and prevent them from flashfloods

Bassins des Aghlabides

canal system

The levadas provide essential drinking water and irrigation supplies (Unesco website)

There are remains of an elaborate canal irrigation system dating from the Middle Ages or possibly from Roman times, the canals obtaining their water from glacial rivers (UNEP-WCMC)

the series illustrates the history of hydraulic techniques (dykes, lock gates, water supply, weirs, drainage and irrigation, etc.), (AB ev)

See www.waterhistory.org

"the section of the old Roman aqueduct now diverted was used as a main sewer for a highly complex system of small channels carrying away rain and waste water. Many food and ceramic remains have been found here." Wiki

In the Middle Ages irrigation channels from the Ak-Buura River were created along the lower slopes, and one of them is still functioning on the northern side (AB ev)

A "system of Roman and modern pipe routes is developed in Bath (...) The Roman Great Drain is constructed to discharge used water into the River Avon." (Great Spas of Europe Nomination File, p. 276)

"The Hawrami people's endeavors, exquisite and skillful agricultural technology, and ecological world-view taken from ancestral practices have successfully created a smart, efficient, fair, harmonious, and sustainable agricultural system that manages water and irrigation and pinpoints proper dwelling spaces." (AB Ev – ICOMOS) "(...) irrigation and optimal water management in Hawraman/Uramanat gardening is quite creative and shows signs of the development of human knowledge in exploiting limited natural resources of Hawraman/Uramanat." (Nomination file, p. 72-73)

"Also of note are the city's fountains that continue to be fed by an extensive system of original tunnels." (Official description) "The walls themselves (...) also include part of the 25 km network of galleries, the bottini, which evacuate the spring waters distributed by the public fountains." (AB Ev) (

"Hydraulic installations within the menzel included a well, a water basin connected to irrigation canals and tanks for collecting rainwater" (AB ev)

"Creative water management was also a feature of Tak’alik Ab’aj from the beginning of its long history. Systems for draining rainwater from the plazas were engineered" (AB ev)

"the terraces as well as the gravityfed irrigation systems for pastures and hayfields remain important evidence of adaptation to the local natural conditions." (AB ev)

"The street layout and sophisticated water management system of Gedi are distinctive characteristics." (AB Ev)

"The town formed part of a broader agricultural landscape that included a complex water catchment system ensuring irrigation of the fields. It has been in operation from the Nabataean period onwards, and is still used today. It included a network of channels connecting the settlement to the nearby wadi, and at least twenty-six reservoirs located in the town and four in the village. The water system was based on a local concept and designed to ensure sustainable use of scarce water resources." "The water catchment system was revitalised in 2016-2017 and reactivated in 2019-2021, with a modern delivery system added." (AB Ev)

Aikawa Area: "Key attributes demonstrating ore mining include (...) drainage tunnels (e.g., Minamizawa Drainage Tunnel Site) which continue to fulfil a drainage function." (AB Ev)

The slopes require appropriate soil management, to avoid ground movements and other erosion phenomena. This management is, among other actions, carried out through collective actions at the watershed level, such as pipes, paths and retention, settling or infiltration basins. (Nomination file, p. 46)

"The town formed part of a broader agricultural landscape that included a complex water catchment system ensuring irrigation of the fields. It has been in operation from the Nabataean period onwards, and is still used today. It included a network of channels connecting the settlement to the nearby wadi, and at least twenty-six reservoirs located in the town and four in the village" (AB ev)
See www.ummeljimal.org

Hima Wells: "This location is at the oldest known toll station on an important ancient desert caravan route, where the wells of Bi’r Ḥimā date back at least 3,000 years and still produce fresh water." (brief description).

Agdal reservoir

Has large "tanks" and associated irrigation canals etc. These were built to enable the city to run and feed itself as it lies within Sri Lanka's "dry zone"
See www.edwardgoldsmith.com

Pasargadae is also home to a complex water supply system for the time that comprises cisterns, tunnels, underground canals, and ducts, which are locally known as qanats.
See www.tehrantimes.com

To be able to feed all these animals it was necessary to ensure stable production from the fields. To maintain this, an extensive irrigation system was constructed, with reservoirs at several levels and canals which spread out across the entire plain. (Unesco)

It bears witness to the development of Nabataean agricultural techniques using a large number of artificial wells in rocky ground. The wells are still in use. (unesco website)

Aceauia Real
See es.wikipedia.org

network of irrigation channels (AB ev)

"The rich archaeological remains reflect the multifaceted lives of the occupants, including (...) the oasis and its ancient water management system" - "7,535 plantation pits, together with at least eleven primary water channels and thirty-three wells, testify to the scale and water management of this vast oasis" (AB Ev)

qanat system

Hongcun: "Around 1405, on the advice of geomancers, a channel was dug to bring fresh water to the village from the West Stream. Two hundred years later the water supply system of the village was completed with the creation of the South Lake." (AB ev)

See fr.wikipedia.org

Hydraulic system stretching over 10 km

"The component area of Tomioka Silk Mill is composed of the original factory premises at the time of establishment and surrounding water drains together with the lot later extended for silkworm egg production." An example of drainage in the Tomioka Mill is the brick drain. "Built in 1872, this covered brick drain was used not only for rain water runoff from the buildings, but also for discharge of water used for silk-reeling". (Nomination file, p. 17, 49)

The diversity and quality of architectonical and sculptural ensembles serving ceremonial, administrative and residential functions are exemplified in a number of exceptional places, such as ... irrigation structures. (official description)

"The construction of ciglioni required not only to shape the slopes creating a terrace, but also to facilitate water drainage, excavating a ditch on the upper part of the terraces, at the foot of the wall of the terrace immediately above." (Nomination file, p. 87, 101)

Guachimontone

Several sites reflecting water irrigation processes (AB ev) - Purrón Dam is the largest prehistoric water management structure in Mesoamerica at 24 m high, 106 m wide, and 400 m in length (nom file)

residents of the area have created canals to channel the overflow as well as provide irrigation for surrounding fields, which, as a result, are specially fertile

mesolithic hydraulic systems

"Restore the irrigation system and the catchment area near the eastern moats" (mgt plan)

water control works (AB ev)

Toksankoriz Irrigation System

At Balasagun (Burana) and other Central Asian locations: "Several had complex water gathering and irrigation systems with ceramic pipes and reservoirs." (AB ev)

sewage system

irrigation channels (AB ev)

rock cut reservoirs in Bishapur

"The irrigation system of Sarazm is probably one of the most sophisticated of the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age in Central Asia." (AB evaluation)

.. share an intricate system of water distribution channels utilizing the fresh water resources from two springs (AB ev)

"Ponds built at the Joseon royal burial grounds are mostly square, with round miniature islands, and serve to reinforce favorable energy at the entrance to the burial grounds while also aiding management of drainage of the royal tombs and supporting the caretakers' activities." - nomination file

Gravity-fed irrigation system, utilizing water from aquifers in the forests 2,000 feet above.

Upper Harz Water Management System

Choquequirao, Huamachuco

sewage system

"The area is visited by flash floods and archaeological evidence demonstrates the Nabataeans controlled these floods by the use of dams, cisterns and water conduits. These innovations stored water for prolonged periods of drought, and enabled the city to prosper from its sale" (Wiki)

Ordu-Baliq - remains of a water drainage system

Hizkia reservoir (drinking water supply)

"As the entire Namhansanseong Fortress was mostly constructed along with mountain slopes, water permeating into the fortress walls could threaten the stability of the fortress walls. Accordingly, separate water drain holes were installed in places where the drainage system was not good. So far, 28 water drain holes have been verified." - Nomination File

Tenochtitlan artificial lake
See www.redorbit.com

In the exceptionally arid climate, traditionally every drop of water needed to be collected from a variety of sources such as rivers, springs and subterranean pools and collected in reservoirs or channelled through underground qanats to be used for animals, orchards and small vegetable plots. (Unesco)

Maulbronn Abbey for its extensive watermanagement system of reservoirs and channels

special system of tunnels and dams to supply Masada with water

10 artificial dams that form a water storage system, the Peripheral Water Conservancy System (AB ev)

"The part of the city, now uncovered, proves the existence of a drainage system for rain and wastewater that was quite well developed. Sewers have been recognized in different streets. The outflow of drainage system probably ended in the sea, and care was taken as not to contaminate the underground freshwater."
See www.hydriaproject.info

Ajan Bund

See en.wikipedia.org

pools joined by channels

A complex system of channels has been developed to spread this water around the terraces in and between different valleys.(whc)

"The nominated area includes fields bordering the river between the village and the lower slopes of the mountain. They are primarily irrigated rice paddies." - AB Document

All the spa towns have a pipe network for the supply and disposal of the spring water. E.g. a "system of Roman and modern pipe routes is developed in Bath (...) The Roman Great Drain is constructed to discharge used water into the River Avon." (Nomination File, p. 276)

drainage system included an ingenious device called an 'aboiteau' (AB ev)

Longwy: 5 wells for drinking water to see the inhabitants through a siege

Shalamar Gardens

Boboli Gardens: "The garden lacks a natural water source. To water its plants, a conduit was built to feed water from the nearby Arno River into an elaborate irrigation system."
See en.wikipedia.org

"Transformations made to the countryside surrounding Ferrara during the Renaissance included: drainage of huge swathes of swampland, (...) creation of new waterways and streets as part of the overall urban development plan (...). (Official description) "The Este (...) undertook vast irrigation and reclamation projects to increase the amount of land available for farming (...). All the waterways were kept under supervision and managed by the construction of attractive villas, known as delizie, at key points in the network, often associated with hydraulic equipment or a farm building." (1999 AB Ev)

Several attempts were made to drain and develop the Everglades in the 1880s.
See en.wikipedia.org

"The Anzele Spring is located in the west part of the City Walls. It provides for the water needs of many mosques in the city, houses and gardens to the Urfa Gate, powers the mills outside of Mardin Gate, and irrigates the Hevsel Gardens".

Water management system and hydraulic engineering that contains at least 16 reservoirs and an elaborate systems of drains and sewers

Wien (ID No 30): "The Romans provided their cities, including Vindobona, with clean potable water through an elaborate systems of Roman aqueducts, canals, and large subterranean pipes. Excavations have revealed that Vindobona received its supply through a 17 km long water pipeline. (...) Waste from the Roman camp was transported through an elaborate subterranean sewerage system that was planned from the beginning. The sewers were lined with brick walls and plates and ran beneath the main roads."
See en.wikipedia.org

In the Wortel component, the landscape is divided into narrow uniform plots, separated by a system of ditches and paths. (...) The early pattern of family farms disappeared during the period of abandonment, although the system of ditches and drains is still explicitly present, especially in areas that became woodlands rather than fields after 1870. (...) The drainage and dewatering system also displays an orthogonal structure. (Nomination file, p. 58-59)

The Chimú used irrigation for their agriculture by diverting water from the Moche river. Water reservoirs can still be seen at the site

use of irrigated terraces for agriculture

the nominated property includes the drainage catchment of the Essigberg west of the Hercules Monument which supplies the water features (AB ev)

the qanats

Great North Road - significant drains and culverts were constructed as part of the road construction.
See www.convicttrail.org

The hydraulic system also partially retains authenticity of use and function ... such as washing clothes, irrigation, etc (AB ev)

A large cistern that has been uncovered in Menga is currently being investigated.

"An innovative irrigation system created to sustain agriculture and pastoral economy in the semi-arid environment of the ArabianPeninsula demonstrates the high level of hydrologicalengineering" (AB ev)

Use of aflaj

The circular urban shape of the villages of Al-Ahsa resulted from an irrigation canal on one side and a drainage canal on the other side circling the village as a result of the developed water management systems in Al-Ahsa (AB ev)

Falaj in the Bahla Oasis

"Prehistoric settlements, water management systems, (...) illustrate the interaction between prehistoric communities that inhabited Menorca and their natural environment (...). - Alaior (Component C6): "(...) water engineering systems such as the well of Na Patarrà illustrate the complexity of the settlements' organisation." (AB Ev) – Component C1: "This component contains interesting vestiges of ancestral water engineering, including catchment systems, canals excavated into the rock and wells." (Nomination file, p. 133) – "Rainwater was channelled to these reservoirs by small channels dug ingeniously out of the rocky surface. Such channels can be observed, for example, at Torre d'en Galmés (Component C5), where they are used along with a series of smaller filtration tanks excavated from the rock to form a system of sediment decantation." (Nomination file, p. 196)

complex system of irrigation and water storage using elevated weirs canals, dykes, sluice gates, moats and water tanks (AB ev)

Has large "tanks" and associated irrigation canals etc. These were built to enable the city to run and feed itself as it lies within Sri Lanka's "dry zone"

Water reservoirs

The property includes "[e]ngineering works" like "water canals/water conduits/hydraulic structures". (AB Ev)

"Building remains within the walls follow a street and drainage system on the terraced hillside sloping down to the Tangya River on the east." (AB ev)

"Once the centre of a powerful civilization, Mohenjo Daro was one of the world's earliest cities — a Bronze Age metropolis boasting flush toilets, as well as a water and waste system to rival modern standards." "(...) the civilization at Mohenjo Daro (...) built an elaborate drainage system, which has been critical during flooding in the past."
See www.cbc.ca

draining the marshes and the building of dams and irrigation canals were major technological breakthrough first introduced under the Ubaid period and further perfected by the Sumerians who later built dams on the Tigris and Euphrates to expand agriculture far inland. (nom file))

the artificial lake Amutui Quimei

The palm groves are partly irrigated by an underground water distribution system called "Foggara". This is similar to the Iranian "Qanat" and the Omani "Aflaj" but only operates for flood waters. Its maintenance and operation is a significant element within the cultural life of the inhabitants. See
See www.degruyter.com