A
water-meadow (also
water meadow or
watermeadow) is an area of
grassland subject to controlled
irrigation to increase
agricultural productivity. Water-meadows were mainly used in Europe from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. Working water-meadows have now largely disappeared, but the field patterns and water channels of derelict water-meadows remain common in areas where they were used, such as parts of
Northern Italy,
Switzerland and
England. Derelict water-meadows are often of importance as wetland wildlife habitats.