It oftened collapsed. So today if one was to copy this system one would have to make sure to correct this problem unless he or she wants to be buried alive. Today's technology can easily correct this dangerous effect just like we do in modern tunnels either for man or water. It was a cruel land and under cruel laws. This irrigation system was found to be the best way to transport water across the desert, if they had tried it on the surface the sun would have evaporated it all in no time.
Sure one can say heck why bother, lets use plastic pipes.
True indeed but in those days there was no plastic. So should an event occur that forces us to use old ways then this way of irrigation would work now as it did then. Well first you build a road from the mountain to the gorge. Then you lead that road over a temporary bridge that crosses the gorge, high up in the air above the rapids. Then you dynamite the mountain rock by rock and haul in trucks to the bridge, where you drop the rocks in the river.