Longyou irrigation system gets world heritage status

The Jiangxiyan Irrigation System in Longyou county, Zhejiang province gets world heritage status on Aug 14. [Photo/WeChat: weilongyou2014]

The Jiangxiyan Irrigation System in Longyou county of Quzhou, Zhejiang province was recognized as a Heritage Irrigation Structure (HIS) by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) in Saskatoon, Canada on Aug 14.

The announcement was made at the 2018 International Conference and 69th International Executive Council Meeting of the ICID. Four irrigation sites in China - the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the Lingqu Canal, the Jiangxiyan Irrigation System and the Changqu Canal – were included on the 2018 list of HIS.

The Jiangxiyan, or the Jiang-Xi Dam, located over Lingshan River in Longyou county, was built 680 years ago. It consists of the Jiang and Xi dams which serve the purposes of irrigation, water supply and drainage, water transport and hydraulic applications. The system is still in use today.

The award of HIS has been given by the ICID since 2014 for the purpose of protecting, exploring and promoting the ancient irrigation systems and their scientific value. Every year, the commission receives applications from around the world and announces a list of new structures after strict evaluation.