China is planning to build a large reservoir on the upper reaches of the Huangguoshu Falls, in southwest China's Guizhou province, hoping to enhance its flow in dry seasons.
According to the provincial water resources and hydropower department, Guizhou will invest 300 million yuan (US$36.3 million) to build an upstream reservoir 14 kilometers from Huangguoshu, which could irrigate over 3,000 hectares of farmland.
The reservoir with a capacity of more than 10,000 cubic meters is expected to fulfill a significant task -- enhancing the flow of China's largest waterfall in its dry period.
Located on the Baishuihe River, a tributary of Dabanghe River in west Guizhou, Huangguoshu is listed as the third largest waterfall in the world with a height of 74 meters and a width of 81 meters in the rainy season.
However, the scenery of Huangguoshu varies evidently with the seasons. During the dry time in autumn and winter, Huangguoshu "shrinks" remarkably. In times of drought, the magnificent waterfall becomes a sluggish trickle.
China's strategy of developing its vast western regions has enabled Guizhou to open up, attracting more tourists to Huangguoshu, but many are disappointed in dry seasons.
According to Yi Yun, an engineer with the provincial water resources and hydropower department, the current average water discharge of Huangguoshu is 18.2 cubic meters per second.
"The new reservoir, which is expected to be finished in two years, can distribute a flow carrying five to seven cubic meters of water per second to Huangguoshu in dry seasons. Thus, the fall will be infused with 400,000 cubic meters of water every day," said Yi.
Leng Yonggang, deputy general-manager of the Huangguoshu Tourism Group, said he believed Huangguoshu could maintain its splendor all year round with the supplementary water supply.
Li Weixi, vice-general-manager of Guizhou Infrastructure Investment Company, is soon to take over the development and management of Huangguoshu. He believed that with the completion of the new reservoir, tourist would not be disappointed on a visit to Huangguoshu.
(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2002)
