The Acadians built aboiteaux in the dykes.

The gate of an aboiteau acted like a valve which opened in one direction only, thus allowing the water from the Tantramar marsh to drain into the sea but stopping the sea water from coming into the land.

This was the Acadian's way of reclaiming the marsh land for cultivating crops.

This image of an aboiteau built in a dyke is painted with underglazes directly on a ceramic tile. The photograph of dykes and others of aboiteaux were used as references to create this painting.