Abstract
In this study, we investigated on the relationship between children's water-playing and environmental characteristics of irrigation channels in Koura-town Shiga prefecture. Koura-town has a long history of irrigation, and in 1988, irrigation management improving project through community initiative was started. Channel is upgraded from the aspects of ecosystem and accessibility to the water.
Process of this study is as bellow: First, workshop research for children. Secondly, environmental research of channels. Thirdly, cluster analysis of channels using environmental data. And finally, identifying the factors for bathing and evaluating environmental characteristics of irrigation channels for children's water-playing.
Main findings included;
1) Division works provide diversity of water play as well as natural habitats. Good quantity of water is important for ecosystem of channels, and complexity of physical structure provides children a better chance to access into the water.
2) Side ditches along houses provide“catching river crab”space for children. In the irrigation management improving project through community initiative, most of side ditches were left open, and gravel was lie on the channel bed to support natural habitat. And water flow through out the year provides habitat of river crab. Small scale of side ditches give good conditions for younger children to play catching river crab and fishes living in the channels.
