channel sluice
A voorsluis, translated to a channel-sluice, is a hand-made sluice that controls the amount of water that enters the saaidamme. The amount of water in each saaidam is a crucial factor for the growth of the harvest, and close attention is given to how long the water is kept within the dams. For each saaidam there is an inlet voorsluis and an outlet damsluis, to let water in, allow it to stand in the dam for several hours, and to let it flow out either into the next dam, channel, or into the river—this depends on many factors that must be considered before deciding on opening a sluice. These sluices are built with available material but are often constructed from rocks, mud, steel, and wood planks. The wood planks are placed manually between steel guides and removed to allow the flow of water.
- Project: Saaidam flood-irrigation system
- Climate: Mediterranean climate
- Year: Since ca. 1800s
- Water type: Freshwater
- Landscape: River landscape
- Material: Timber planks, brick, and stone wall
- Use or Function: Flood irrigation