At a time when there was no artificial irrigation, the Vinschgau farmers used these irrigation ditches, known as the Waal, for centuries. Many have expired due to lack of use. This one is in operation, is being maintained and offers a vivid look at life back then.
The Adige Valley is the driest valley, the valley with the least rainfall in South Tyrol. The river Adige has its source at an altitude of 1,525 metres, about a 20-minute walk from the town of Reschen on the Alpine pass of the same name. At 415 km, the Adige is the second longest river in Italy and flows into the Adriatic Sea.
The "Nörderberg" and the "Sonnenberg" are two elongated mountains of about 42 kilometers that are located in the Adige Valley. Waale are the prerequisite for agriculture in dry areas. The name comes from the Celtic "bual" or Roman "aquale". In the Vintschgau bordering Burggrafenamt, most irrigation channels have been preserved. Since the high mountains "milk off" the clouds, the annual precipitation here is sometimes less than 500 mm. Most Waale, i.e. irrigation canals, were built along these two mountains to transport the water of the Adige from Mals (921 m above sea level) through the entire Vintschgau to Meran at an altitude of only 374 m above sea level. to direct. In this way, the natural gradient was used, because water is known to flow from top to bottom and therefore requires no further aids such as pumps.
The Waale were intentionally designed with only a slight incline so that the water flows slowly through them and can therefore contribute to better irrigation. This is why the Waal paths are relatively flat, with no major inclines. The watercourse was secured through gorges by hollow tree trunks or wooden constructions. The farmers could then drain the water from these main water veins back to their soil.
A hundred years ago there were around 1,000 Waale in South Tyrol, with a total length of the main streams of over 1,000 kilometers. The "Marlingerwaal", which the Adige "enters" is 12 km long alone. Even glacial water was swept away at almost 3,000m across the watershed. The Waale often run in several "levels" along a valley flank. Some whales also powered mills, saws or butter churns.
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