Results of central and local government cooperation... Ministry of Environment “Safe even in 200-year floods”

 

‘Wonjucheon Flood Control Dam (Wonjucheon Dam)’, Korea’s first regional proposed dam, was completed.

The Ministry of Environment and Wonju City announced on the 31st that they will hold a completion ceremony for the ‘Wonjucheon Dam Construction Project’ in Sinchon-ri, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Wonjucheon Dam was promoted as a flood control dam in the 'Long-Term Dam Construction Plan' in 2012 to prevent flood damage in the Wonjucheon River basin. ▲Feasibility study in 2014 ▲Notice of basic plan in 2016 ▲Approximately 5 years since construction began in 2019 It was completed after a year of construction.

A total project cost of KRW 90.6 billion, including KRW 81.5 billion from the national treasury, was invested in the construction of the Wonjucheon Dam. It is 46.5 m high and 210 m long, and has a total reservoir capacity of 1.8 million tons.

Previously, the Wonju Stream basin had a steep slope in the upstream area and a gentle river in the downstream area, so the risk of flooding was high. In the summers of 1998, 2002, and 2006, property damage worth approximately 53.5 billion won and 5 people were lost due to river flooding. It has happened.

However, with the completion of the Wonju Stream Dam and the connection with the Hakseong Reservoir, which the Ministry of Environment is building downstream of the dam, Wonju Stream will be reborn as a river that is safe even from floods with a frequency of 200 years.

Since Wonjucheon Dam is a flood control dam, it does not store water in the dam during normal times, maintaining the natural river state. When there is heavy rain during the flood season (June 21st to September 20th), it is temporarily stored to control water volume and protect the environment. It was built to minimize impact.

In addition, cultural and recreational spaces such as cultural performance halls and sports parks will be created in the downstream area of ​​the dam, which is expected to promote convenience for local residents and contribute to revitalizing the local economy. Moreover, a relocation complex (1 location, 10 households) is scheduled to be built in the Seogok-ri area of ​​Wonju by the end of this year to support the resettlement of submerged people.

Minister of Environment Kim Wan-seop said, “With the completion of the Wonju Stream Dam, the first local dam in the country, the Wonju Stream, which had been frequently damaged by floods, has been able to be reborn as a river safer from floods.” He added, “In addition to the flood control effect of the dam, the leisure and culture created along with the dam “The facilities will become the basis for regional development,” he said.

He added, “We will devote our capabilities to water management policies so that people can feel safe from floods and droughts even during the climate crisis.”