International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage Commission Interationale des Irrigation et du Drainage



(4442) Water ladder, Chinese dragon wheel, Rahad
A water lifting device consisting of a series of small boards made up into an endless link chain which runs in a wooden trough and passes over spoke-type wheels mounted on both ends of the trough. The upper, or driving, spoke-type wheel is mounted on a horizontal pole or shaft fitted with foot treadles on which the men tread, thus the chain is dragged up through the trough, each board on the endless chain pushing a little water which is spilled out at the top. Water ladders are also operated by animal power and windmills. The water ladder is known as `rahad` in Thailand.

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