Aqueduct

An aqueduct is an artificial (man-made) channel that is constructed to convey water from one location to another. Many aqueducts are raised above the landscape, resembling bridges rather than rivers. Sufficiently large aqueducts may also be usable by ships.

Aqua Claudia, Rome (Larger image)

Historically, many agricultural societies have constructed aqueducts to irrigate crops. Archimedes invented the water screw to raise water for use in irrigation of croplands.

Another widespread use for aqueducts is to supply large cities with clean drinking water. Some of the famed Roman aqueducts still supply water to Rome today. In California, USA, a large aqueduct runs in the central valley that transports water from North California to the Los Angeles area.

In modern civil engineering projects, detailed study and analysis of open channel flow[?] is commonly required to support flood control, irrigation systems, and large water suppy systems when an aqueduct rather than a pipeline is the preferred solution.

Navigable aqueducts include:

• aqueduct near Roelofarendsveen (mun. Alkemade), Netherlands: Ringvaart[?] canal crosses A4 highway, which is situated on land below the level of the canal (and below sea level)
• Gouwe aqueduct, near Gouda, Netherlands: Gouwe[?] river crosses A12 highway, which is on land below the level of the river.

Segovia, Spain (Larger image)

Roman aqueducts include:

• The Pont du Gard in southern France
• Segovia, Spain

See also irrigation, leat.