"Waalwege"

irrigation channel path ways

By the so-called „Waale“ it acts around an age-old irrigation system, which had been thought out many centuries ago, in order to give the necessary wet to the fields of the extremely dry Vinschgau.

Vinschgau is the rainpoorest valley of the alpine region. With simplest means, kilometer-long water-ditches were pulled, in order to supply the water of the glacier-brook to the villages and yards. Without the so essential water it would often have give no existence for many in the once rural shaped Vinschgau.

The so-called „Waaler“ supervises the irrigation channel and assigns the respective farmers the quantity of water. Along the irrigation channel, a small way leads, which make it possibile to the “Waaler” to control the run of the water and to prevent possibile obstacles of the water.

The „Waalschelle“ – a bell which is fastened at a small water wheel, shows audibly to the „Waaler“ from a distance whether the water flows. Some “Waalschellen” are still working in some area. Many irrigation channels from once lost their meaning due to modern sprinkling systems, however there are still many which still fulfill their function also today, and people are anxious to receive them also to future generations.

Particularly promenader and hiker like the „Waalwege“, because everyone enjoys gladly the wonderful panorama view from the height into the valley and listens to the quiet ripple of the water.