aqueduct

An aqueduct is a watercourse or a bridge-like structure designed to convey water from a remote source to a settlement or agricultural area. In its broad sense, it may refer to either a channel that carries water by gravity or a raised structure that supports a channel. Traditional aqueducts consist of a gently sloping trough or pipe, often carried by a series of arches or elevated piers, designed to maintain a steady flow.

Historically, the term is most associated with the Roman aqueducts, a vast network built to supply cities with fresh water. Roman engineers constructed long channels, tunnels, and elevated arcades with precise gradients. Notable examples include the Pont du Gard in France and the Aqueducts of Segovia in Spain. After the fall of Rome, some medieval works continued the tradition, while modern aqueducts use concrete, steel pipes, and advanced waterproof linings. Siphons and inverted siphons allow water to cross deeper valleys by pushing water through pressurized pipes.

Aqueducts today are part of broader water supply systems. They may transport raw water to treatment plants or deliver potable water directly to distribution networks. In some contexts, the term also covers canal-like structures used for irrigation, especially in arid regions. Preservation often focuses on archeological significance, structural safety, and maintaining historic gradients and aesthetics.