Water and Life - Oasis in the Desert




By Real Distan (Flickr: Oasis in Gobi Desert, (c) not mine!) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Deserts are arid, sandy wastes spread across all five continents and known for one thing - the absence of water. Yet no desert is completely barren. Even the largest desert such as the Sahara, have tiny (relative to the size of the desert) spots where surface water is found, enough to sustain human life, animals and vegetation.

Those who have never been to a desert have heard of two fascinating features - oasis and mirage. Oases have enabled journeys in the desert since ancient times and some of the largest oasis, supplied by underground sources and occasional rainfall, have been around for thousands of years.



Contrary to general perception, not all oases are small pools of water with a couple of swaying palms at the side. The largest oases are magnificent sights even against the grandeur of the deserts. Check out some of the most beautiful oases across the world at Smashing Lists.

 

Dams

Dams are solid structures built across rivers to obstruct or divert the flow of water. Dams today are massive engineering superstructures of steel and concrete used to create water supply reservoirs and also generate hydro-electric power.The size and scale of some modern dams can create an adverse impact on the surrounding ecosystem and human settlements.

In ancient times, dams were used mainly to divert or obstruct flood water and protect harvests and habitations. Some dams from the Roman era or even earlier still exist and are functional today. Most ancient dams were gravity dams.
 

Dams are created not just by humans but animals. Beavers fell trees and branches across running streams or rivers to create a water reservoir around their underground homes.

By Cheryl Reynolds, Worth a Dam CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Dikes and Levees

Dikes and Levees have existed in human civilization from ancient times. These structures natural or manmade, hold water back from adjoining land especially in low lying areas (below water level).

Levees are designed to hold back excess water running into and flooding otherwise dry land. Dikes on the other hand, are embankments designed to hold back water at all times.

‘God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland’ is a saying popular in the Netherlands for more than a 1000 years. Dikes, canals, dams and windmills protect the low lying Netherlands from being overrun with floods from rivers and the North Sea.


A dike in the Netherlands. Note the North Sea at a higher level on the left.



A levee in hurricane prone Florida in Southern USA. Photo: NPS



 

 

Water Fountains

Water fountains are a common sight throughout the world. Used in ancient times primarily as a source of water for drinking and washing, fountains of today are architectural and engineering marvels used for showpieces and a source of relaxation.

Ancient Romans were master builders of decorative fountains which are in existence today also.

The iconic Merlion fountain of Singapore (Own Photo)

Trevis Fountain in Rome-One of the oldest fountains in the world
Trevinight" by Wjh31 - Own work - http://lifeinmegapixels.com. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons  

 

Nilometers of Ancient Egypt

Nilometers, as the name literally suggests, were used to measure the level of the river Nile in Egypt. Nilometers  were  large structures built by ancient Egyptians along the Nile river to measure impending water rise during annual floods. The Nilometers were calibrated with markings in cubits (1 cubit is approximately 50 cms) to interpret the water level.

 

16 cubits meant the right amount for an abundant harvest, while too low or too high levels meant devastation due to famine and over flooding respectively.

 

The conical ceiling of the Nilometer at Rhoda Island near Cairo, Egypt

You can find a wonderful picture gallery of these amazing structures at Amusing Planet.

Ancient Aqueducts

Aqueducts are bridges or pipes used to transport water. Aqueducts were used in human civilization from ancient times, as early as 2 BC.

Ancient aqueducts were constructed to transport water through channels by its natural downward movement through gravity. Aqueducts ran underground, over the terrain and even in the form of viaducts or bridged arches across valleys.

Ancient Romans were masters of aqueduct engineering, constructing spectacular aqueducts some of which exist even today.



Pont Du Gard, one of the oldest Roman Aqueduct stands tall at 49m over river Gardon near Nimes in South of France
By Wolfgang Staudt (originally posted to Flickr as Pont Du Gard) [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons"

Head  over to Encyclopaedia Britannica for more information on ancient as well as modern day aqueducts.

Ancient Stepwells of India

In ancient times, stepwells were used in arid regions of Western India to enable people to reach groundwater that was deep underground. A fascinating and intricate feat of engineering and architecture, these wells had galleries and stairwells reaching all the way down to the water level.





Chand Baori (stepwell), Abhaneri, Rajasthan, India
By Doron (Own work) GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chicago journalist Victoria Lautman spent several years, studying and photographing 120 steps across 7 Indian states. Photographs of her collection which include a mesmerizing helical well and palace structures are featured in many publications.