Irrigation Channel Patterns in Tsugaru Plain, Aomori Prefecture

Abstract

There are several irrigation channel patterns peculiar to Tsugaru Plain, which are classified as follows.
1) Parallel channel group: Several channels run in parallel and each one flows into a group of fields.
This pattern was perhaps established against heavy droughts in Edo era, whose origin is not yet certain and it has not been reported elsewhere in Japan. The peculiarity of this pattern is not recognized by local farmers.
2) Passing through channel group: Several channels run long way through paddy fields of other village directly downstream.
3) Channel group without distinct draining end
4) Channel group without distinct nourishing origin.
5) Crossing-over channel group