DOI Artikel:
Michelsen, Peter: Irrigation in the Alps
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49002#0171
162
PETER MICHELSEN
Fig. 5. Solden in Otztal. Wooden pipes for irriga-
tion water. The tubular pipes are suspended on
the rocks over the Rettenbach. Photo P.M. 1953.
Solden im Otztal. Hblzerne Wasserleitungen fur
Bewasserungszwecke. Die Rohre sind an den Fel-
sen oberhalb des Rettenbaches aufgehangt.
Fig. 6. Solden in Otztal. The open wooden pipes
are carried across the depression on high wooden
supports. Photo P.M. 1953.
Solden im Otztal. Die offenen Wasserleitungen
werden auf hohen Holzstiitzen quer fiber die
Niederung gefiihrt.
The water was carried to the place of irri-
gation along channels in the surface or open
wooden pipes, separately or in combination.
The capacity of the channels rarely exceded
that of the pipes, which was limited by the
diameter of the logs (made from coniferous
trees: spruce, pine or larch). The channel in
the wood had a flat bottom and vertical
sides. The round cross-section of the log
might be retained, or the outside might also
be shaped with a flat bottom and sides. If
used to form a conduit, the end of one was
pushed a little way into the other.
The pipes were levelled in uneven ground
by means of a packing of stones, by the dig-
ging of hollows to bed the pipes, and by
erecting wooden props (fig. 4). A vertical
pole, from the top of which a horizontal
board went to the slope, provided good sup-
port at each joint. If it was not possible to
avoid a very steep slope, tubular conduits
bored out of conifers were used, strung from
strong steel wire pegged into the rocks at a
slightly higher level (fig. 5).
For carrying the pipes across depressions,
high wooden supports were necessary
(fig. 6). Two types were noted in Solden,
consisting of two inward sloping uprights
mortised through a cross-piece at the top in
such a way that the protruding tenons sup-
ported the pipe, or of a single post and cross-
piece into which supporting pegs were mor-
tised. Struts were added as required.
At the area to be irrigated, water was usu-
ally distributed by furrows dug up to 20 cm
deep and equally broad, placed regularly in
parallel (fig. 7). In other places they were less
regular and more widely separated, in which
case the final distribution of water was by
means of light, open pipes.
PETER MICHELSEN
Fig. 5. Solden in Otztal. Wooden pipes for irriga-
tion water. The tubular pipes are suspended on
the rocks over the Rettenbach. Photo P.M. 1953.
Solden im Otztal. Hblzerne Wasserleitungen fur
Bewasserungszwecke. Die Rohre sind an den Fel-
sen oberhalb des Rettenbaches aufgehangt.
Fig. 6. Solden in Otztal. The open wooden pipes
are carried across the depression on high wooden
supports. Photo P.M. 1953.
Solden im Otztal. Die offenen Wasserleitungen
werden auf hohen Holzstiitzen quer fiber die
Niederung gefiihrt.
The water was carried to the place of irri-
gation along channels in the surface or open
wooden pipes, separately or in combination.
The capacity of the channels rarely exceded
that of the pipes, which was limited by the
diameter of the logs (made from coniferous
trees: spruce, pine or larch). The channel in
the wood had a flat bottom and vertical
sides. The round cross-section of the log
might be retained, or the outside might also
be shaped with a flat bottom and sides. If
used to form a conduit, the end of one was
pushed a little way into the other.
The pipes were levelled in uneven ground
by means of a packing of stones, by the dig-
ging of hollows to bed the pipes, and by
erecting wooden props (fig. 4). A vertical
pole, from the top of which a horizontal
board went to the slope, provided good sup-
port at each joint. If it was not possible to
avoid a very steep slope, tubular conduits
bored out of conifers were used, strung from
strong steel wire pegged into the rocks at a
slightly higher level (fig. 5).
For carrying the pipes across depressions,
high wooden supports were necessary
(fig. 6). Two types were noted in Solden,
consisting of two inward sloping uprights
mortised through a cross-piece at the top in
such a way that the protruding tenons sup-
ported the pipe, or of a single post and cross-
piece into which supporting pegs were mor-
tised. Struts were added as required.
At the area to be irrigated, water was usu-
ally distributed by furrows dug up to 20 cm
deep and equally broad, placed regularly in
parallel (fig. 7). In other places they were less
regular and more widely separated, in which
case the final distribution of water was by
means of light, open pipes.