High resolution satellite images of irrigation canals in the delta region of rio Parana

In the Bolivian Altiplano, there exists many remains of ancient canalised fields called suka kollus or waru waru or camelones. These artificially constructed raised embankments are separated by water channels which modify the environment and raise the local temperature (on the Altiplano) as well as providing nutrients for the soil when the channels are dredged and deposited on the embankments.

These satellite images appear to show remains of a similar system but on a much larger scale in the delta region of the rio Parana bordering Argentina, possibly adapted from what may originally have been natural features.

sukakollus near Tiwanaku
Above, an example of the "suka kollus" on the Bolivian Altiplano, irregular raised fields surrounded by water channels, now disused.

sukakollus
Above, an example of the "suka kollus" on the Bolivian Altiplano, raised fields surrounded by water channels.

sukakollus
Above, suka kollus under construction/restoration in Bolivia.



canals rio parana
Towards the northern side of the delta are to be found multiple channels which at first sight may appear natural.

canals rio parana
A close-up view suggests these channels and embankments may be artificial and similar to the suka kollus of Bolivia, but of a much large size, the measured channel above is 246 ft (75 metres) wide.

canals rio parana
Ground view shows reed filled channels.

canals rio parana
A close-up view suggests these are long, artificial channels.

canals rio parana
Close-up view showing what appears to be regularly excavated long channels between artificial embankments

canals rio parana
What appears to be regularly excavated long channels between artificial embankments, with narrow straight canals which appear to have been dug over them at a later date.

canals
Very fine channels have also been dug onto the embankments at a later date.

canals
More apparantly disused and abandoned artificial channels and embankments. Are these all natural cut-offs of the river, or man-made features?

canals
Close-up of parallel channels and islands, an ideal natural environment which could have been adapted for human occupation.

canal and pond formations rio parana
The parallel channels were at one time crossed by feeder channels, now eroded....

canal and pond formations rio parana
These are a type of "feeder canal" which interconnect many natural channels, opening them up to water access....

canal and pond formations rio parana
These channels feed some peculiar formations....

canal and pond formations rio parana
Close up view reveals channels about 222ft or 200 Sumerian feet wide....

feeder canal rio parana delta
One of the typical feeder channels which runs round the area....

feeder canal rio parana delta
This secion measures about 99ft which would be 90 Sumerian feet or 60 Sumerian cubits....

feeder canal complex rio parana delta
This wandering sub canal supplies a few lagoons and is supplied by the feeder canal on the right....

feeder canal 60 sumerian feet parana delta
The sub canal measures about 66ft which would be 60 Sumerian feet or 40 Sumerian cubits....

feeder canal 200 sumerian feet parana delta
This feeder canal measures 220ft which is 200 Sumerian feet which is 40 Sumerian double yards.

joining canals rio parana delta
This small canal can clearly be seen linking two feeder canals....



canal and pond formations rio parana
A variety of more clearly defined channels exists within the marsh... - a feeder channel with branch canals....

canal and pond formations rio parana
This spur from a feeder channel heads south...

canal and pond formations rio parana
It measures about 66ft or 60 Sumerian feet wide....

canal and pond formations rio parana
It eventually disappears beneath the silt....

canals junction rio parana delta
Others are clearer to see on this new, high resolution imagery....

canal and pond formations rio parana
Like this close-up of branch from a main feeder channel....

canal and pond formations rio parana
another close-up of another set of canal junctions....

feeder canal and pond formations rio parana
The feeder canals also supply ponds, now disappearing in the mud.....

oval pond and canal rio parana delta
This oval pond 80 metres or 160 Sumerian cubits long has now almost completely disappeared.....

parallel channels rio parana delta
in this photo, the feeder channel on the left is 60 Sumerian feet wide and the fine parallel channels running diagonally in the centre have main canals at 500 Sumerian feet intervals.....

channels rio parana delta
in this photo, the fine parallel channels running diagonally on the right have main canals at 500 Sumerian feet intervals.....

parallel channels rio parana delta
these parallel channels are not easy to spot at first.......

channel 66 sumerian feet rio parana delta
this feeder channel measures 66ft which is 60 Sumerian feet or 40 Sumerian cubits.

feeder channel from main canal rio parana delta
another example of feeder canal take-off from main canal.

canal and pond formations rio parana
Now you see it, now you don't. Two different passes of the satellite.... The left hand side shows the area flooded obscuring the details shown on the different pass on the right hand side.



canals parallel rio parana delta

The delta region of the rio Parana has thousands of interwoven natural water channels and also many miles of those constructed/adapted by unknown peoples who favoured an aquatic environment with artificial ponds. It is also suitable for cultivation projects as seen by these straight canals above. Google Earth can't provide dates, but can certainly identify areas of interest like these straight canals. These parallel channels are 1500 metres or 3000 Sumerian cubits apart. It is not known at what age they were created nor at what age they were abandoned although industrial machinery was introduced to the region at some time, see photo below.

canals
Terraplenes ground view.

canals
Pumps have been introduced at some time, but how old are the original canals or formerly cultivated areas in this region?

canals parallel rio parana delta
These parallel channels are 1 furlong apart which is 600 Sumerian feet or 400 sumerian cubits or 200 metres....

canals rio parana
These straight canals which are 3300 English feet, 3000 Sumerian feet, 2000 Sumerian cubits or 1,000 metres apart!

canals rio parana
Parallel canals abandoned to the flood waters. The curved lagoon is
330 English feet, 300 Sumerian feet, 200 Sumerian cubits or 100 metres wide.

canals rio parana
In the dry season, the soil probably benefits from nutrients brought down by the floods. This sharper image shows how the parallel plots have been built over an older system of feeder canals and ponds and the curved lagoon was probably adapted from an earlier lagoon or canal.


protests against development in Delta canals zone



   Selection of related studies,
   Pantanal canals, ponds and islands    rio Paraguay levees canals    rio Parana canals, ponds and islands    rio Parana delta canals
   rio Amazon to Manaus   rio Amazon west from Manaus   rio Orinocco to Amazon canal   Corrientes
   flooding dates on the Altiplano    atlantis canals on the Altiplano    canals gallery   Chipaya canals gallery
   canals in Peru   Caral, Peru containment canal   Tabasco, Mexico canals gallery   canals Louisiana
   Paria, Oruro containment canals   canal to sea (lago UruUru)    Beni, Moxos gallery

   geoforms - Bolivian altiplano    agricultural variations on the Altiplano    ringed hilltops   earthquakes
   contour forms/irrigation Peru   contourforms/irigation Bolivia    Bombo earthquake route    Bombo route oblique views

   Atlantis stade - Egyptian and Sumerian cubits   Tiwanaku cubits    Peru cubits and calendar    cubits between altiplano canals
   Teotihuacan measuring unit    Teotihuacan citadel measuring units
   Chichen Itza and El Castillo measuring units    Monte Alban, measuring units    Atlantis stones gallery
   the Tiwanaku soli-lunar calendar    the Muisca calendar     Lost Calendar of the Andes     Decoding the quipu mathematics


J.M. Allen, January 2011
webatlantis@hotmail.com


atlantisbolivia.org