Hydraulic Heritage and the Control of Malaria in the Aragon and Catalonia Canal, Urgell Canal and the Irrigation System of Alto Aragon, Spain

The territory occupied by the areas irrigated by the Urgell Canal, the Aragón and Catalonia Canal and the Alto Aragón Irrigation System are characterized by a pronounced water deficit. Despite this, malaria affected the territory long before the implementation of large hydraulic projects because the scarcity of water compelled human communities to store it in the open air for diverse uses. The economic importance of these water reservoirs meant that life revolved around them, contributing to an abundance of vectors for the spread of the disease. Later on, the successive development of hydraulic systems and irrigation works increased the incidence of malaria and forced the State to undertake major efforts to control itPeer reviewe