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China is undertaking an ambitious project to build the world's largest network of artificial rivers. At an estimated cost of US$62 billion, the network of canals, aqueducts and tunnels will transport fresh water from the south to industrial regions in the north of the country.
Since ancient times, the China has faced challenges with water distribution. The south of the country is rich in water resources, while the north suffers from scarcity. To solve this problem, the Chinese government started a project to transfer water from South to North.
The project involves three main routes: East, Central and West. Each route has its own network of canals and tunnels to transport water across the country.
Eastern Route in China
The Eastern route begins near the city of Yangzhou in China, using a branch of the Yangtze River. The water is pumped to the Jing-Hang Grand Canal, the world's largest man-made canal, and then transported to Tianjin, a city northwest of Beijing. This route, which began construction in 2002, was completed in 2017 and delivers around 1 billion cubic meters of water per year.
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Central Route
The Central route starts at Danjiangkou Reservoir. To allow water flow, the reservoir's dam was raised by 15 meters, requiring the relocation of more than 300 people. Completed in 2014, this route stretches more than 1.200 km and transfers up to 12 billion cubic meters of water annually to Beijing and other northern regions.
West Route
The Western route in China is still in the planning phase. It will be the most challenging of the three, involving the construction of tunnels through the Tibetan Plateau. This route is expected to be completed by 2050, with the capacity to deliver up to 17 billion cubic meters of water per year.
Impacts and challenges
Despite the benefits for the northern regions, the project faces criticism due to its environmental and social impacts. The construction of canals and tunnels interrupts the natural flow of rivers, causing hundreds of smaller rivers to dry up. Contamination of artificial waterways by industrial waste is a constant concern.
The total cost of the project is high, and maintaining the extensive network of canals and aqueducts will also require ongoing investment. However, the Chinese government believes that the project is essential to guarantee the country's water sustainability.
China's plan to build the largest network of artificial rivers in the world It is a bold attempt to resolve the water crisis in the north of the country. With massive investments and technical complexities, the project seeks to guarantee fresh water for millions of people, but faces significant environmental and social challenges.
Of course, it does not cause drought in other smaller rivers, it is just alarmism by people who do nothing. The excess flow of the Yangtze is redirected, avoiding floods and inundations.