The government will open additional gates at the Seungchon and Juksan dams to address algal blooms and improve water flow in the Yeongsan River.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on July 26 that it will open the gates at the Seungchon and Juksan dams from July 27 to August 23, in line with the algal bloom management period.
With the additional gate openings at the two dams located downstream on the Yeongsan River, water flow will be connected from Seungchon Dam to downstream of Juksan Dam. Currently, the Seungchon Dam has limited gate openings for agricultural activities such as water celery cultivation, while the Juksan Dam has restricted openings for the operation of the Hwangpo sailboat in Naju City.
The ministry plans to maintain the water level at Seungchon Dam around 5.5 meters above sea level. The current water level at Seungchon Dam is being managed flexibly between 5.5 and 6 meters, depending on water usage. If it is confirmed that there are no issues with the surrounding pumping stations and groundwater usage, the water level may be lowered to a maximum of 5 meters.
The water level at Juksan Dam will be reduced from approximately 1.5 meters to 0.75 meters. The government believes that the additional gate openings at both dams will reduce the retention time of water, thereby inhibiting algal blooms and improving water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
The ministry will investigate changes in the aquatic ecosystem before and after the gate openings and check for any restrictions on groundwater usage in the surrounding areas. If farmers encounter issues with groundwater usage, alternative wells will be developed as part of water supply support measures.
To prevent disruptions in agricultural water intake during the gate opening process, related facilities will also be improved. The ministry is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to lower the intake points of 18 pumping stations located upstream of the two dams, with plans to complete this by 2028. There are 10 pumping stations around Seungchon Dam and 8 around Juksan Dam.
Earlier, the ministry held a community meeting in February and conducted public-private consultations on the restoration of the natural environment of the Yeongsan River in April and June, discussing the plan for additional gate openings with the local community.
Song Ho-seok, the director of water resource policy at the ministry, stated, "It is significant that we are able to open the gates of the two dams in the Yeongsan River basin through communication and cooperation with the local community. We will continue our efforts to improve the water flow to enhance the water quality and aquatic ecosystem of the Yeongsan River."
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on July 26 that it will open the gates at the Seungchon and Juksan dams from July 27 to August 23, in line with the algal bloom management period.
With the additional gate openings at the two dams located downstream on the Yeongsan River, water flow will be connected from Seungchon Dam to downstream of Juksan Dam. Currently, the Seungchon Dam has limited gate openings for agricultural activities such as water celery cultivation, while the Juksan Dam has restricted openings for the operation of the Hwangpo sailboat in Naju City.
The ministry plans to maintain the water level at Seungchon Dam around 5.5 meters above sea level. The current water level at Seungchon Dam is being managed flexibly between 5.5 and 6 meters, depending on water usage. If it is confirmed that there are no issues with the surrounding pumping stations and groundwater usage, the water level may be lowered to a maximum of 5 meters.
The water level at Juksan Dam will be reduced from approximately 1.5 meters to 0.75 meters. The government believes that the additional gate openings at both dams will reduce the retention time of water, thereby inhibiting algal blooms and improving water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
The ministry will investigate changes in the aquatic ecosystem before and after the gate openings and check for any restrictions on groundwater usage in the surrounding areas. If farmers encounter issues with groundwater usage, alternative wells will be developed as part of water supply support measures.
To prevent disruptions in agricultural water intake during the gate opening process, related facilities will also be improved. The ministry is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to lower the intake points of 18 pumping stations located upstream of the two dams, with plans to complete this by 2028. There are 10 pumping stations around Seungchon Dam and 8 around Juksan Dam.
Earlier, the ministry held a community meeting in February and conducted public-private consultations on the restoration of the natural environment of the Yeongsan River in April and June, discussing the plan for additional gate openings with the local community.
Song Ho-seok, the director of water resource policy at the ministry, stated, "It is significant that we are able to open the gates of the two dams in the Yeongsan River basin through communication and cooperation with the local community. We will continue our efforts to improve the water flow to enhance the water quality and aquatic ecosystem of the Yeongsan River."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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