Canale Villoresi, Irrigation canal in Lombardy, Italy
Canale Villoresi is an irrigation canal in Lombardy that flows from the Ticino River to the Adda River, spanning across the countryside. The waterway supplies water to thousands of hectares of farmland and serves as one of the major hydraulic structures in the Milan region.
Engineer Eugenio Villoresi designed the canal in 1868 and invested his own money into the project, though he died in 1879 before it was completed in 1890. The waterway fundamentally transformed agriculture in northern Italy by making more intensive land use possible.
The waterway transformed agriculture in northern Milan, increasing wheat production from 72,000 to 112,000 tons within thirty years of operation.
The best way to explore the canal is by walking or biking along its banks, since many stretches are open to the public. Sturdy shoes are recommended, especially after rain when the paths can become slippery.
The canal is home to various fish species including pike, perch, and carp that are collected during maintenance work in autumn and winter months. These efforts help maintain the waterway and manage the local fish populations.
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