Xinxiang City Wei River Remediation Project

# Xinxiang City Wei River Remediation Project: A Practical Model for the Revitalization of a Millennial Ancient River

As a vital relic of the Yongji Canal of the Grand Canal during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Wei River in Xinxiang City carries the historical memory of a “millennium-old waterway.” Stretching 73 kilometers through the city’s core area, it has become an essential link connecting ecology, culture, and people’s livelihoods. In recent years, through comprehensive remediation projects, Xinxiang has transformed this mother river—once plagued by severe siltation and inadequate flood-control capacity—into a model of a “happy river and lake” that integrates flood control and drainage, ecological restoration, and cultural heritage preservation.

### I. Historical Dilemma: The Dual Challenges of Siltation and Flooding

The Wei River originates in Lingchuan County, Shanxi Province, and flows through Xinxiang County, the urban area, and Weihui City, creating a unique hydrological pattern of “separate drainage for floodwaters and storm runoff”: the main channel of the Wei River discharges floodwater from the southern plain, while the Communist Canal is dedicated to draining flash floods from the northwestern mountainous region. However, due to sediment deposition from the Yellow River, localized siltation in the riverbed has reached as much as 3 meters, with over 830,000 cubic meters of sediment accumulating in the central urban section, reducing the flood-control capacity to a 20-year-return-period event and further lowering the drainage capacity to a 3-year-return-period event. During the extraordinarily heavy rainfall in July 2021, 4,808 water-management facilities across the city were damaged, resulting in direct economic losses of RMB 1.51 billion and exposing the vulnerability of the Wei River’s flood-control system.

### II. Systemic Governance: Four Major Projects Build a Security Barrier

In the face of a severe situation, Xinxiang City has launched “Eight Major Categories of Shortfall-Addressing Projects” with a total investment exceeding RMB 90 billion. Among these, the Wei River Remediation Project centers on “dredging and desilting, embankment reinforcement, ecological restoration, and intelligent management and control,” thereby establishing a three-dimensional governance system:

1. **Dredging and Sediment Removal Project**

A combined “mechanical equipment plus slurry pump” approach was adopted, with tailored construction methods implemented to suit the specific characteristics of different river sections: the 6.57-kilometer hardened upstream section utilized slurry pumps for mud removal, while the 6.06-kilometer unhardened downstream section employed large-scale mechanical excavation. The urban-section dredging project completed before the 2022 flood season removed a total of 830,000 cubic meters of sediment, increasing the river’s flow capacity from less than 200 cubic meters per second to 500 cubic meters per second and raising the flood-control standard to a 50-year return period.

2. **Levee Reinforcement Project**

In the comprehensive management project for the Weihe River–Communism Canal, 13.4 kilometers of new embankments were constructed, 29.4 kilometers of existing embankments were raised and reinforced, and 12 hazard-control revetments and 4 seepage-control walls were built as supporting infrastructure. The project employs innovative materials such as gabion rock cages for slope protection and ecological concrete frame grids, which not only enhance the stability of the embankments but also provide habitat for aquatic organisms.

3. **Ecological Restoration Project**

A three-tier ecological system comprising “waterside wetlands–ecological revetments–permeable walkways” has been established. Along the demonstration section from Muye Bridge to Caihong Bridge, over 40,000 square meters of groundcover vegetation have been planted, and 740 meters of covered pavilions and boardwalks as well as a 5,900-square-meter recreational plaza have been constructed. Through measures such as sewage interception and connection to the municipal sewer system, and the use of artificial floating islands, the water quality of the Wei River has improved from below Grade V to Grade IV, with some parameters now meeting Grade III standards.

4. **Smart Management and Control Project**

Leveraging the river chief system platform, we have integrated water-quality monitoring and shoreline patrol systems, deployed IoT sensors along key river sections to conduct real-time monitoring of 12 parameters—including water level, flow velocity, and water quality—and established a “human defense + technological defense + collaborative defense” mechanism. As a result, patrol frequency has been increased from once a week to twice daily, boosting problem-resolution efficiency by 70%.

### III. People-Centric Approach: From Engineering-Based Flood Control to Shared Well-Being

The governance project breaks with traditional water-conservation construction models by deeply integrating public needs into the design concept:

1. **Reconfiguration of Waterfront Spaces**

A 12-kilometer continuous greenway has been developed along the river, linking eight themed parks including Muye Park and Weihe Park, and adding convenient amenities such as fitness equipment and public restrooms. Meanwhile, Weibei Subdistrict has transformed a 3.2-kilometer stretch of polluted, cluttered, and poorly maintained riverbank into a scenic waterfront promenade featuring clear water and lush greenery by demolishing illegal structures and restoring the embankment.

2. **Cultural Gene Activation**

To excavate the cultural essence of the Wei River as both a “canal culture” and a “Muye culture,” a Canal Culture Square will be built on Beiguan Avenue, where holographic projection technology will be used to recreate the splendor of the ancient grain transportation era. Meanwhile, a Classic of Poetry Cultural Corridor will be established in Muye Park, seamlessly integrating historical allusions with landscape vignettes.

3. **Co-construction and Sharing Mechanism**

The Xinxiang Municipal Regulations on the Protection of the Wei River have been promulgated, a collaborative mechanism involving river chiefs, police chiefs, and procuratorial chiefs has been established, and volunteer teams have been mobilized to conduct routine patrols. Through the 12345 hotline platform, a total of 237 issues—such as construction-related disturbances and the remediation of sewage discharge outlets—have been resolved, resulting in a public satisfaction rate of 98.6%.

### IV. Governance Outcomes: A Win-Win Situation for Ecological and Economic Benefits

Through systematic governance, the flood-control standard for the Wei River has been upgraded to a 50-year return period, while that of the Communism Canal has reached a 100-year return period, reducing urban waterlogging risks by 60%. Significant results have been achieved in translating ecological value into economic benefits: the waterfront economic belt has attracted RMB 1.2 billion in cultural and tourism investment, boosting commercial value in surrounding areas by 30%; the health assessment score for rivers and lakes has risen from 62 to 89, earning the area inclusion as a provincial demonstration case for beautiful and livable rivers and lakes.

From a “clogged river” to an “ecological artery,” and from a “potential flood-control hazard” to a “cultural landmark,” the Wehe River remediation project in Xinxiang City has adopted the guiding principle of “safety and resilience, ecology as the foundation, culture as the soul, and the seamless integration of city and water,” thereby pioneering an innovative approach to urban water-system management in northern plain regions. This ancient canal, which has flowed for millennia, is now writing a new chapter of harmonious coexistence between people and water with a fresh, revitalized presence.

The successful implementation of the Wei River remediation project has not only provided a replicable “Xinxiang Model” for water-system management in northern plain cities, but also underscored the contemporary value of prioritizing ecology and embracing green development. Through systematic governance, the Wei River has been transformed from a source of siltation and blockage into an ecological lifeline, and from a weak link in flood control into a resilient protective barrier, achieving comprehensive improvements in flood-control capacity, ecological quality, cultural richness, and people’s well-being. This project has not only restored the ecological fabric of this millennia-old waterway, but also reinvigorated the city’s endogenous development momentum—spurring the rise of a waterfront economic belt, fostering the integration of culture and tourism, and enhancing citizens’ sense of happiness—thereby demonstrating the profound truth that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Looking ahead, Xinxiang City will continue to build on the achievements of the Wei River remediation, leveraging “smart water management” to ensure long-term, sustainable maintenance and using cultural IPs to create distinctive branding, so as to advance the Wei River’s evolution from a “beautiful river and lake” to a “happy river and lake,” and to contribute more wisdom and innovative solutions to water-system management and high-quality development in northern cities.

Looking ahead, the Wehe River remediation project in Xinxiang City will continue to deliver comprehensive benefits, serving as a powerful engine for high-quality urban development. With the deep integration of “smart water management” systems, the Wehe River will shift from reactive response to proactive early warning: leveraging big-data analytics to forecast flood risks and enabling precise water-resource allocation, thereby safeguarding urban water security. At the same time, the development of the Wehe River’s cultural brand will enter a new phase, with initiatives such as canal culture festivals and water-sports events further unlocking the potential for integrating culture and tourism, turning this millennial river into a new showcase of the city’s unique charm. Moreover, the river’s remediation will catalyze a green transformation of surrounding areas, encouraging the growth of eco-friendly industries such as ecological agriculture and waterfront recreation, thus fostering a virtuous cycle of “water sustains the city, and the city revitalizes the water.” Taking the Wehe River project as a pivotal opportunity, Xinxiang is charting a path toward sustainable development that harmoniously integrates ecological, economic, and social benefits—offering a replicable and scalable “Xinxiang Model” for managing urban water systems in northern plain regions. In this way, the Wehe River, a shining gem set in the heart of the Central Plains, will shine even more brilliantly in the new era.