Gyeongsangbuk-do to transform
covered urban rivers into “ecological waters”
- Ten rivers across eight cities and counties, including Gumucheon River in Pohang and Angicheon River in Andong, confirmed as candidates -
- Project is expected to improve water quality and restore the health of aquatic ecosystems by restoring covered urban rivers -
Gyeongsangbuk-do announced a new plan to restore urban rivers across the Province into “ecological waters” next year. With this new restoration plan, Gyeongsangbuk-do will attempt to ensure the diversity of local ecosystems by removing structures currently covering river systems and replacing obstacles blocking the natural movement of aquatic organisms, including fish, with more eco-friendly structures.
This ecological waters restoration project will restore the health of rivers whose habitat has been damaged or disturbed. These covered urban rivers often suffer from ecological damage, depleted water streams, and deteriorating water quality.
Gyeongsangbuk-do plans to invest approximately KRW 41.2 billion in ten rivers across eight cities and counties next year to start the project.
The ten rivers selected for this project are Haksancheon in Pohang, Angicheon in Andong, Igyecheon in Gumi, Geumgyecheon in Yeongju, Byeongseongcheon in Sangju, Borimcheon in Mungyeong, and Geumgokcheon in Yecheon. The Provincial Government expects to restore all ten rivers by 2024.
Once the project is complete, Gyeongsangbuk-do will monitor changes in the aquatic ecosystem and water environment regularly for five additional years to make sure the restored rivers remain healthy and attract a diverse range of aquatic organisms.
Gyeongsangbuk-do’s Director of Environment, Forestry and Resources said, “We learned that facilities such as concrete embankments and fixed weirs in rivers were acting against the health of local ecosystems by blocking the habitat and impeding the free movement of various organisms.” He added, “We will transform the structure of these rivers into eco-friendly, free-moving ecological waters, and make sure they become places where people and nature can coexist in harmony.”
