And key to this canal systems design were barrages: Dam like infrastructure that raised the river's upstream water level so that water can be funneled into canals with gates that open and close depending on water supply and demand.

这种运河系统设计的关键是堤坝：像水坝一样的基础设施，可以提高河流上游的水位，这样水就可以流入运河，闸门可以根据水的供应和需求打开和关闭。