Hydraulic capacity of ancient water conveyance systems to Ephesus

Ancient Ephesus was sustained by four extensive water conveyance systems, each with distinct hydraulic capacities. The Şirince system, spanning 8 km and composed of baked clay pipes, delivered approximately 10 liters per second (l/s). Similarly, the 7 km Derbentdere system, also using baked clay pipes, had a capacity of around 20 l/s. In contrast, the Değirmendere system, a masonry conduit stretching 36 km, boasted a significantly higher capacity of 200 l/s, while the 42 km Kayapınar system, another masonry conduit, delivered about 100 l/s. Notably, the Şirince system was extended in the 6th century AD by the 650 m long Selcuk aqueduct, which served as an inverted siphon, further enhancing its functionality.

Öziş, Ü., Atalay, A., & Özdemir, Y. (2014). Hydraulic capacity of ancient water conveyance systems to Ephesus. Water Supply, 14(6), 1010–1017. https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2014.055