Chinese irrigation systems

Chinese irrigation systems historically employed sophisticated methods like canals, dikes, and water control devices to efficiently distribute water across farmland. Notable innovations include the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (4th century BCE), which used a diversion dam and channels to regulate water flow without relying on dams or reservoirs. These systems allowed for precise water management, flood control, and expanded arable land, supporting large populations and complex agriculture. Built with engineering ingenuity, they integrated natural topography and water dynamics, laying a foundation for advanced irrigation techniques still influential in modern water management practices.