An aboiteau is a hinged tidal gate with a clapper valve built within a dyke.

Essentially a hole would be put in a dyke and a wooden flap was added to allow fresh water to drain but prevented the salt water from entering.

This is a marvel of engineering. These structures of dykes and aboiteaux date back to 1600s.

This is how the Acadians reclaimed much of the rich soil in the Tantramar marsh area and used it for agricultural purposes.

The aboiteau featured here is in the Village of Memramcook.

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