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 An exceptional Aqueduct
 Roman engineering skills
 Signs of the times
 Technicals aspects



Looking at the technical characteristics relating to both the Pont du Gard and the Nîmes aqueduct makes the work look even more spectacular than it already appears !

Below are tables presenting the most significant data relating to the work carried out by the Romans.



 


A cross section sketch of a channel on the aqueduct dug into the ground, based
on the work of a researcher from the CNRS :
J.L Paillet.



» THE AQUEDUCT ROUTE

Characteristics Nîmes aqueduct
» Departure point Eure spring in Uzès (Gard)
» Departure altitude 71.25 m
» Arrival altitude 58.95 m
» Arrival point Castellum, rue de la Lampèze in Nîmes
» Channel dimensions width: 1.20m - average height 1.80m
» Physical characteristics 90% underground
» Control structures Uzès, La Balauzière, Nîmes
» Types of bridges Culvert - 1 to 3 arched bridges - arcade bridges - 2 or 3 tier bridges
» Other buildings Galleries: Canterelle (59.30m) and La Perrotte (65.50m)



» THE CONSTRUCTION

Characteristics  Nîmes aqueduct Pont du Gard
» Type Raft foundation, two columns and a vault 3 levels: : 6, 11 and 47 arches
» Total length  50,010 m 360 m
» Height over the Gardon 48.77 m
» General elevation 12,27m, i.e. 25cm/km
» Sector elevation Start: 6.14m - end:  6.13m
» NoTotal number of stones 11,000,000
» Total volume of stones 21,000 m3
» Total mass 50,400 tonnes



» OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Type Nîmes aqueduct / Pont du Gard
» Flow Gravity and laminar
» Flow rate at the beginning of use 35 to 40,000m3/day on average i.e. 400l/s
» Flow rate at the end of use 10,000m3 / day on average i.e. 100l/s
» Average speed in full flow between 0.7 and 1m/s
» Average transit time from Uzès to Nîmes between 24 and 30 hours