Waterway Network
Venice's 150 canals form a complex transportation network spanning 26 miles across 118 small islands. The Grand Canal, shaped like an inverted S, serves as the city's main thoroughfare. Smaller canals connect neighborhoods through 400+ bridges, enabling boat traffic for commerce, transportation, and waste management.
Engineering Innovation
The canal system relies on wooden foundations driven into clay layers beneath the lagoon. Tidal flows help flush the canals, while regular dredging maintains navigable depths. Buildings along canals use special foundation systems combining wood piles and stone to resist water damage and settlement.
Environmental Challenges
Rising sea levels and subsidence threaten Venice's canal system. The MOSE flood barrier project protects against high tides, but ongoing challenges include water pollution, boat wake erosion, and structural deterioration. Conservation efforts focus on preserving historical infrastructure while adapting to climate change impacts. Shutdown123