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Valais
(Switzerland). Channels called bisse collect water coming from
the glaciers melting along the long pathways carved out of the
sides of the mountains and use this water to irrigate the otherwise
completely arid valleys.
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Valais
(Switzerland). The practice of the channels (bisse) is still used
and supported by community interests and rules. Above, diversion
of the bisse by means of a traditional irrigation device. Below,
sluice gate and water sharing system.
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Sion
(Valais), landscape created by the bisse technique, with terraced
slopes where high quality grapevines are grown thanks to an irrigation
system carried out by means of hydraulic devices. The outlet of
the latter determines the location of the historical settlements.
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Shows
suspended wooden ramps for channelling water along the edge of
the mountains
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a)
Rock channel, b) Practicable tunnel, c) Underground channel.
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Location
of the bisse of Sion.
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1.
Natural course of the torrent Sionne
2. Water intake and path of the bisse
of Lentine and Mont d'Orge
3. Slopes irrigated by the bisse
4. Built-up area of Sion
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