• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.65-82
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• 2002

This study tries to examine the characteristics of the ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System and geographical conditions in the western part of Sichuan Basin in China. The Dujiangyan System constructed in the third century B.C is located at the mouth of gorge of the River Mi. This spot shows that its altitude above sea level is higher than that of the three other rivers in this district. Also, this river reaches the maximum discharge. These facts reveal the spot has the great potentiality as an ideal location for man-made channels. Li Bing realized the "three magical projects": Yuzui and Jinggang Dyke(a water dividing dyke), Baopingkou(a water inlet), and Feishayan(a spillway). The dyke divided the River Min into two parts. The inner river is connected to the Baopingkou. And the Feishayan discharges flood and silt from the inner river to the outer. These projects have composed a scientific irrigation and drainage network. Finally, in the Chengdu Plain were digged a dozen channels for irrigation. Some of them are connected eastward to the River Bu. Since then the Dujiangyan System has been bring great benefits to agricultural production. This resulted in the population increase and establishment of new counties which have made the plain a "Land of Abundance".