The Roman aqueduct was a channel used to transport fresh water to highly populated areas. Aqueducts were amazing feats of engineering given the time period. ... As water flowed into the cities, it was used for drinking, irrigation, and to supply hundreds of public fountains and baths.

What is an aqueduct and how does it work?

In a restricted sense, aqueducts are structures used to conduct a water stream across a hollow or valley. In modern engineering, however, aqueduct refers to a system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and supporting structures used to convey water from its source to its main distribution point.

How aqueducts help us today?

Some parts of the western U.S. do have ample water supplies, though. ... So, some states have developed ways of moving water from the place of ample supply to the thirsty areas. Engineers have built aqueducts, or canals, to move water, sometimes many hundreds of miles.