A History of China’s Modern Water Control
Since ancient times, China has had many water control projects for the purpose of providing its large population with a stable water supply. Constructed largely for agricultural and flood prevention purposes, these projects have gone through many changes and adjustments over the centuries. In modern times, China has continued to expand and renovate its water control projects across the country, constantly adapting to an ever-changing climate, environment, and population.
The first major Chinese water control project was the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Sichuan. Constructed in 256 BCE during the Qin Dynasty, Dujiangyan is hailed as one of the oldest water control systems still in existence in the world. Essentially, the project involves a two-part system of channels and levees to both irrigate farms in the area as well as to use the natural flow of water to minimize the risk of flooding. Throughout the centuries, Dujiangyan has undergone many repairs and renovations, keeping it an effective system to this day.
In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Emperor Honggu carried out an even larger project to take advantage of the natural environment of the area, further reducing the risk of flooding through the construction of the Lingqu Canal in Guangxi. This project was revolutionary at the time, as the system was able to be built without any dams or large structures. Instead, the system employed the natural terrain to ensure that the water flowed where it was needed. After centuries of natural erosion and human-built modifications, the Lingqu Canal, impressively, still stands.
The modern era has seen the continued innovation in Chinese water control projects. In the 21st century, the Chinese government allocated huge resources to updating and expanding the existing water control systems in the country. In particular, an ambitious project known as the South-to-North Water Diversion Project was initiated in 2002. The project is designed to take water from the country’s southern areas, where many rivers such as the Yangtze, Yellow, and Pearl have their headwaters, and direct the water to the northern parts of the country. The goal of the project is to address the water shortage problem in areas such as Hebei and Shanxi, where severe droughts are a common occurrence.
The project, which is ongoing, consists of three other subprojects. The Eastern Route Diversion System, underway since 2013, includes the massive construction of the Xiluodu Dam along the Yangtze River. This is one of the highest capacity dams in the world and is predicted to divert water to Shandong by 2020.
The Middle Route System, which was completed in 2014, focuses on bringing water to the regions of Henan and Shandong through diverting water through the Han Rivers tributaries. Finally, the Western Route System, currently in the construction phase, would see the construction of 5 large dams and hundreds of smaller dams and reservoirs throughout the southwestern provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai.
The South-to-North Water Diversion Project has taken the coordination of the Chinese authorities to a new level, and has used millions of tons of concrete, advanced engineering techniques, and large construction machinery to make this project a reality. This project is just one example of China’s dedication to controlling its water resources and is a testament to the continuous Chinese advancement of water control technologies.
In conclusion, Chinese water control projects have gone through a long history of development, ever-evolving in response to the needs of the Chinese population and the environment of China. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the Lingqu Canal, and the South-to-North Water Diversion Project are just some of the major projects throughout this history, and are proof of China’s long tradition of water control and engineering. As the world’s most populous country, this is a tradition that it will likely continue for years to come.
