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Overview of Dujiangyan Irrigation Scheme of ancient China with current theory
Author(s) -
Li Keke,
Xu Zhifang
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
irrigation and drainage
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1531-0361
pISSN - 1531-0353
DOI - 10.1002/ird.234
Subject(s) - silt , irrigation , spillway , flood myth , hydrology (agriculture) , sedimentation , current (fluid) , water resource management , environmental science , surface irrigation , flood control , geology , mining engineering , sediment , archaeology , geography , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , ecology , oceanography , biology
The Dujiangyan Irrigation Scheme is located in the middle reach of the Mingjiang River in Sichuan Province. It was initiated by Li Bing, the governor of Shu Prefecture, in the Qin Dynasty in 256 BC . It is a great scheme with a long history of 2260 years in ancient China, and has been very well operated until today. The headworks of the Dujiangyan Irrigation Scheme are composed of three major parts, i.e. Dujiang Yuzui (fish mouth), Feishayan, and Baopingkou. Dujiang Yuzui is a diversion dam, dividing the Mingjiang River water into two rivers, the Outer River and the Inner River. Feishayan is a spillway used for removing sand and excess water from the Inner River into the Outer River during flood. Baopingkou is an intake of the irrigation system, which automatically controls for a steady flow. These three parts are combined as an organic and complete whole with multiple functions of diverting water, spilling flood, releasing sediment, silt sedimentation, and automatic control of irrigation water. The whole headworks are reasonably planned and ingeniously coordinated with obvious effectiveness. In particular, this scheme has successfully treated the silt problem, therefore the possibility of being damaged by silt sedimentation is to a great extent avoided, and thus it can continue to flourish. In addition, the system of yearly maintenance also has its specialty: the construction technique is easily mastered by farmers, and all the construction materials came from local places. Therefore, the Dujiangyan Irrigation Scheme can normally be operated generation after generation. The Dujiangyan Irrigation Scheme encapsulates the scientific intelligence and civilization of Chinese nationality, and it still plays a vital role in the economic, social, ecological and environmental benefits for Sichun Province nowadays. It is a model of harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature, and is also included as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the first water project in the world. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.