Epanchoir de l'Argent-Double Canal Du Midi

Bike path side: south

This structure was build by Jean David according to the designs provided by Vauban.  It was completed in 1694, thus after the completion of the Canal Du Midi.  It serves as an overflow for excess water in the canal.  Excess water flows automatically through the 11 arches and into the Argent-Double creek below.  There is also a vane that can be opened to drain all the water out of the canal, in order to do maintenance work during the winter time (cleaning the canal bottom for example).

Argent-Double was an ancient word meaning gold.  This creek has its origins close to the ancient gold mine of Salsigne, about 15 km north of Carcassonne.  This gold mine was the largest gold mine in western Europe, and over 120 tons of gold have been mined here between 1892 and its closure in 2004.  However, arsenic was mined here as well.  The Salsigne mine was also at one point the most polluted site in France because of this arsenic.  (source)

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