Siphon sluice
Encyclopedia
Siphon sluices are one of the many water management devices used on the Canal du Midi
to regulate the level of the water. The siphon acts as an automatic water level regulator. The épanchoir à siphon, or siphon sluice, was designed by Bertrand Garripuy (Garipuy) Jr., the son of the chief engineer. The first épanchoir siphon was built in 1776 near Capestang
and the second in 1778 at Ventenac
.
Though the canal has many spillways to relieve higher water levels, they proved to be insufficient in 1766 when a severe storm in the Languedoc area caused the canal
to burst her banks near Capestang
. A section of the wall, some 46 yards, long was lost and replaced with a wall. These siphons were added in hopes of preventing this from happening again.
A third siphon was built later at Fer-du-Mulet and a fourth at Marseillette
.
Canal du Midi
The is a long canal in Southern France . The canal connects the Garonne River to the on the Mediterranean and along with the Canal de Garonne forms the Canal des Deux Mers joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Étang de Thau...
to regulate the level of the water. The siphon acts as an automatic water level regulator. The épanchoir à siphon, or siphon sluice, was designed by Bertrand Garripuy (Garipuy) Jr., the son of the chief engineer. The first épanchoir siphon was built in 1776 near Capestang
Capestang
Capestang is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-History:In antiquity, the nearby marshes were crossed by the 1500 metre long Roman Pont Serme...
and the second in 1778 at Ventenac
Ventenac
Ventenac is a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Ventenac are called Ventenacois....
.
Though the canal has many spillways to relieve higher water levels, they proved to be insufficient in 1766 when a severe storm in the Languedoc area caused the canal
Canal du Midi
The is a long canal in Southern France . The canal connects the Garonne River to the on the Mediterranean and along with the Canal de Garonne forms the Canal des Deux Mers joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Étang de Thau...
to burst her banks near Capestang
Capestang
Capestang is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-History:In antiquity, the nearby marshes were crossed by the 1500 metre long Roman Pont Serme...
. A section of the wall, some 46 yards, long was lost and replaced with a wall. These siphons were added in hopes of preventing this from happening again.
A third siphon was built later at Fer-du-Mulet and a fourth at Marseillette
Marseillette
Marseillette is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.-Population:...
.