Rural Development Administration Jeonnam, Sunchang Dosu Tunnel Cutoff Wall Demolition... Securing Damyangho Water

Published 29 Apr.2024 15:28(KST)

The Jeonnam Regional Headquarters of the Korea Rural Community Corporation (Head: Jo Young-ho) announced on the 29th that water has flowed into Damyangho from Gurimbo in Sunchang-gun for the first time in 14 years, starting with a water release ceremony held at the terminal section of the intake canal at Damyangho.

Starting with the water release ceremony held at the terminal section of the Damyangho intake channel on the 29th, water has flowed into Damyangho from Gurimbo in Sunchang for the first time in 14 years.
[Photo by Jeonnam Rural Development Authority]

Damyangho was designed from its completion in 1976 to allow some water to flow in from tributary streams of the Seomjin River through the Dosu Tunnel in Gurim-myeon, Sunchang-gun, benefiting an area of 6,560 hectares across Damyang-gun and Sunchang-gun.

However, after experiencing drought, farmers in Sunchang-gun installed a cutoff wall in the Dosu Tunnel, cutting off the water flow, and subsequent strong opposition from farmers in the Gurimbo area prevented any discussion of its removal.

Then, last spring, an unprecedented drought continued in the Jeonnam region, and the persistent efforts of institutions moved the hearts of farmers. A dramatic agreement was reached in July last year, bringing an end to the water dispute.

Accordingly, the water release ceremony was held in Yongyeon-ri, Yong-myeon, Damyang-gun, the terminal section of the intake canal where water flows from Sunchang to Damyangho, to commemorate the removal of the cutoff wall.

The Jeonnam Regional Headquarters plans to complete the installation of a sluice gate that can control the intake volume in the Dosu Tunnel by the end of next month, enabling proactive responses to disasters such as droughts and floods by adjusting water intake according to weather conditions.

Jo Young-ho, head of the Jeonnam Regional Headquarters, said, “This is a meaningful change brought about by cooperation focusing on the essential issues rather than a localized perspective amid the increasing frequency of extreme weather events caused by recent climate change. We will continue to do our best in supplying and managing agricultural water so that farmers can cultivate without worrying about water through systematic and scientific water management.”