Water project in Shaanxi to combat floods

Located at the downstream end of Jinghe River Grand Canyon in Xianyang city, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, the Dongzhuang Water Conservancy Hub Project is being built in full swing.

As one of the 172 major water-saving and supply projects of the country, the project, encompassing flood control, sediment reduction, water supply, power generation and ecological enhancement, is scheduled to finish its primary construction phase by 2026.

It leverages a suite of cutting-edge scientific and technological breakthroughs and will become the province's largest and tallest dam upon completion.

According to Bai Bingnan, head of the project management department at Dongzhuang Water Conservancy Company within the Shaanxi Water Conservancy Development Group, the project, expected to be in operation for 50 years after its completion, can reduce the sediment entering the Weihe River by 3.05 billion tons. Furthermore, it aims to cut down sediment deposition in the downstream Weihe River by a substantial 657 million tons, reducing the cumulative sediment thickness from 2.6 meters to a mere 0.76 meters. These measures are crucial for maintaining the flood defense standards along the lower Weihe River embankments for at least 38 years.

Once finished, the project will supply 162 million cubic meters of water for urban and industrial usage in Tongchuan New Area, Fuping county and its industrial parks, Xixian New Area and Sanyuan county in Shaanxi province, maintaining a reliable 95 percent water supply. It is projected to generate 285 million kWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to reduced coal consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Beyond its utilitarian functions, this water conservancy project will safeguard the continuous flow of the lower Jinghe River, preserve the integrity of wetland in Jinghe River and Weihe River basin, and elevate the ecological quality of basin. The region's landscape will witness rejuvenation, with greener mountains and clearer waters enhancing the overall environmental qualities.

Currently, the project is advancing swiftly towards completion, with the final phases of construction underway. In the near future, a grand dam will stand proudly amidst the mountains and valleys, bringing more happiness to the people in the lower reaches of the Weihe River.