Editing Avignon (section)

==== Artificial diversions ====
[[File:Moulin Parc chico mendes 6.jpg|thumb|A mill on the Vaucluse Canal in the ''Pont des 2 eaux'' district]]

There have been many diversions<ref>[http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/avignon-tourism/monuments/rue-des-teinturiers.htm The Street of Dyers – Avignon], avignon-et-provence.com website, consulted on 19 July 2014</ref> throughout the course of history, such as feeding the moat surrounding Avignon or irrigating crops.

In the 10th century part of the waters from the ''Sorgue d'Entraigues'' were diverted and today pass under the walls to enter the city. (See [[Sorgue]]). This watercourse is called the Vaucluse Canal but Avignon people still call it the ''Sorgue'' or ''Sorguette''. It is visible in the city in the ''Rue des teinturiers'' (street of dyers). It fed the moat around the first defensive walls then fed the moat on the newer eastern city walls (14th century).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/monuments/rue-teinturiers-avignon|title=The Rue des Teinturiers in Avignon &#124; Avignon et Provence|website=www.avignon-et-provence.com}}</ref> In the 13th century (under an Act signed in 1229) part of the waters of the Durance were diverted to increase the water available for the moats starting from Bonpas. This river was later called the ''Durançole''. {{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} The ''Durançole'' fed the western moats of the city and was also used to irrigate crops at Montfavet. In the city, these streams are often hidden beneath the streets and houses and are currently used to collect sewerage. {{Citation needed|date=July 2017}}

The Hospital Canal (joining the Durançole) and the Crillon Canal (1775) were dug to irrigate the territories of Montfavet, Pontet, and Vedène. {{citation needed|date=October 2017}} They were divided into numerous "fioles" or "filioles" (in [[Provençal dialect|Provençal]] ''filhòlas'' or ''fiolo''). Similarly, to irrigate the gardens of the wealthy south of Avignon, the Puy Canal was dug (1808). All of these canals took their water from the Durance. These canals were initially used to flood the land, which was very stony, to fertilize them by deposition of silt. {{Citation needed|date=July 2017}}

All of these canals have been used to operate many mills.