Sejong, April 17 - On April 4, 2023, the Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that the 'Plan to link the operation of Dam, Weir, and Estuary Barrage' has been passed by the 'central council for the integrated operation of dams and weirs.' As the plan has been finalized to proactively respond to the climate crisis by actively utilizing river facilities, the Ministry of Environment will implement full-scale water crisis management measures to use water basins obtained along the four major rivers.

The plan to link the operation of the dam, weir, and estuary barrage operation entails optimally adjusting water levels and volume during a water crisis such as drought and flood and enhancing the use of water basins obtained along the four major rivers by scientifically connecting and operating river facilities. 

This plan reflects President Yoon Seok-yeol's request during his visit to the Juam Control Dam in Suncheon on March 31. During his visit, President Yoon asked to prevent any inconvenience caused by the water shortage. He also asked waterways be connected between local dams and rivers to supply water to areas where water is needed the most and mobilize all available water resources, such as underground water." The President emphasized that "not only should we analyze and predict scientifically, but we should always keep in mind that prompt determinations and bold measures are required."

Notably, following mid-and long-term measures to solve severe drought in the Gwangju and Jellanam-do regions announced on April 3, 2023, this plan is part of the 'permanent water management measures,' which aim to secure as many water resources as possible by actively utilizing river facilities in response to the climate crisis, such as drought. Weirs along the four major rivers have thus far been operated uniformly with fixed weir-opening dates and water levels. As a result, weirs were not able to properly utilize their original completion functions, such as responding to drought, and were not properly used to cope with the water crisis.

[ Case of a weir operated with fixed weir-opening dates and water levels in the past ]

※ Actual operation of Hapcheon-Changnyeong Weir

In the past, dams, weirs, and estuary barrages were operated individually according to their respective purposes, such as water utilization, flood control, or the prevention of saltwater intrusion. It lacked management in an integrated way for weirs in upper and lower areas. It made it difficult to effectively respond to emergencies like drought, flooding, and water pollution accidents.

To tackle such problems, the 'plan to link the operation of the dam, weir, and estuary barrage operation' aims to organizationally connect and flexibly operate dams, weirs, and estuary barrages in response to drought and other water crises. It can increase the utilization of overall river facilities, including weirs, and enable integrated river management covering the entire water system.

The details of the 'plan to link the operation of the dam, weir, and estuary barrage operation' that has passed are as follows.

The optimal water levels to increase the efficiency of weirs are suggested through flexible operation based on the scientific monitoring and analysis of primary and tributary rivers and estuary barrages and frequently changing weather information, the volume of water, drought forecasts, algal bloom status, etc. In addition, a next-generation digital system will be established by 2026 using advanced information and communications technologies, such as AI and digital twins, to manage rivers more scientifically and systematically.

[ Comparison of current and future river facility operation methods ]

The Ministry of Environment plans to form a 'consultative body on the linking operation of river facilities' in which concerned agencies in each sector and facility operators participate.

The Integrated Water Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Environment will lead the consultative body, while flood control offices of the four major rivers and K-water will analyze water levels and flow rates. Local Environmental Management Offices will analyze local conditions, and the National Institute of Environmental Research (NEIR) will provide algal bloom forecasts that change according to weather conditions.

Specific measures to link the operation of river facilities according to the type of water crisis are as follows.

When a drought is expected or in progress, a water shortage in neighboring areas should be eased by connecting weir water levels with dam discharge volumes and increasing dam discharge volumes based on scientific analysis of weather conditions, flow rates into weirs, the water volume of reservoirs, and the water volume of dams and rivers.

[ (Example) Linking the operation of river facilities to respond to a drought ]

In a case when a flood is expected, the water volume and flow rates of dams, weirs, and estuary barrages will be adjusted promptly to prevent flood damage, comprehensively considering the drought situation just before a flood season, the rainfall forecast, and the expected time duration for a weir to be filled with the amount of water needed to ensure the maintenance of stable water intake and pumping. 

The water levels of rivers should be adjusted in the initial stages of germination and the proliferation of cyanobacterial spores to the extent that there is no disruption to drought response and water supply to prevent an algal bloom. When an algal bloom has grown, dam discharge, weir water level adjustment, and estuary barrage discharge should be operated in close coordination, considering weather conditions.

Environment Minister Han Wha-jin said, "We will proactively tackle water crises by fundamentally changing the uniform operation, which cannot properly utilize the functions of weirs and other river facilities, and by making the most of the water basins secured along the four major rivers."

Contact: Shin Eui-chan, Deputy Director

Integrated River Management TF / +82-(0)44-201-7539

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr