Sources for the reconstruction of traditional irrigation systems with flood waters in ramblas of the iberian peninsula southeast

Abstract

The Mediterranean ramblas, especially in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, have had a historical use consisting in the utilization of flood waters, which have been diverted to provide extraordinary irrigation to the cultivated fields. These are centuries-old systems, currently dismantled or abandoned, which had very important hydrogeomorphological consequences. However, their spatial dimension is still not well calibrated and more case studies are needed, applying a shared methodology. This article reflects on the availability and value of documentary sources of different kinds (written historical documentation, oral memory, cartography, aerial photography and field work), taking as the main case study that of the Rambla de la Sarsa-El Derramador (Agost, Alicante). The conclusions show that, in a disaggregated level, each of the sources provides relatively poor information. However, it is in the overall analysis that the most significant results are obtained.