Located in Fuzhou, Jiangxi province, Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei Irrigation Structure is sitting on Fuhe river, a branch of Poyang Lake of the Yangtze River Basin. Throughout over 1,100 years of history, it has become a typical example of large-scale masonry irrigation structure and combines multiple functions including irrigation, river transport, drainage and flood control. Fuzhou is also blessed with moderate weather and abundant precipitation, as the annual temperature of the river basin is 17℃-19℃ and annual rainfall is 1700mm.

History

Qianjinbei irrigation structure commissioned in 868, Tang dynasty, has formed with Zhongzhouwei irrigation system an integrated and unique irrigation system that built dykes around farmland, which realized functions of flood prevention, water supply, river transport and ecological improvement, and supported the development of local society, economy and culture.

Boasting prominent conditions, Ganfu plain (the area around Ganjiang river and Fuhe river) started agricultural development quite early, as many irrigation and diversion structures along the main channel of Fuhe river, including Huabei, Tuchengbei and Lengquanbei, had been established as early as in Tang dynasty. In the 8^th century, Fuhe breached Yaohu lake and caused a severe flood and clogging, destroying irrigation and water supply, deteriorating water system of the region and bringing detriments to the river’s transporting function. In the 9^th century, officials of Fuzhou district built Qianjinbei embankments at the intersection of Fuhe mainstream and its branches and excavated 15 km of diversion channels to control water. Also, the authority built 5 reservoirs to regulate the irrigation for farmlands in Zhongzhou area. All these structures restored and improved not only the local water environment but also river transport. Qianjinbei is therefore of great significance for the social and economic development of Fuzhou.

At the end of the 15^th century, food in the Fuhe river caused breaches in Qianjinbei reservoir. In the 1570s, Gu Zhixian, an official of Fuzhou, led the renovation of Qianjinbei, changed it into masonry structure and rechanneled the river, thus the whole Zhongzhouwei irrigation system managed to continue its functions. A worshipping temple called Lingchang Temple (then renamed Shuihu temple, Shuifu temple) and bull-like iron sculptures were erected beside Qianjinbei reservoir. The cost for operation and maintenance came from government funds and farm rents. As the river branches were not fully blocked by Qianjinbei reservoir, the water of the Fuhe river was able to be diverted and released appropriately during the flood reason.

In the 1620s, Zhu Dadian, a leading official of Fuzhou, led the overhaul of Qianjinbei structure, during which the basement materials were changed to tuff bricks formed in raking bonds and cross bonds. The embankment stretched 6 to 10 meters long, with drain openings on the wall for excess water to fall into river branches in flooding season. The existent Qianjinbei structure is the heritage of that overhaul and renovation. With the completion of Zhongzhouwei structures, the Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei Irrigation Structure realized integrated functions such as flood control, irrigation and shipping, and provided the stable water supply for local people. In the mid-stage of the 19^th century, the banks of Zhongzhouwei reached 31.1 km, providing water for 24,500 mu of farmlands and 43,500 people in the irrigation area.

In January 1935, the water conservancy committee of Linchuan county organized the reconstruction of banks in Linchuan to further improve the system, which included the building 30 km long of banks and four floodgates. However, the undercut of the Fuhe river made it more and more difficult to diverse Fuhe river for irrigation. In 1958, the newly-built Jinlin canal made it possible to diverse water of Fuhe river at the upstream of Jinxi county, with one channel entering Zhongzhouwei to supply irrigating water. Now, the ancient water and channel system in Zhongzhouwei irrigation area are still operating for drainage and irrigation.

Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei Irrigation System consists of Qianjinbei system and Zhongzhouwei system. The Zhongzhouwei irrigation system comprises of embankments, culverts, canals and channels, regulating structures and reservoirs and lakes.  The existent Qianjinbei structures were built during the last large-scale renovation project in the 1620s. The bank made of masonry is 6-7 m high and 9-12 m wide and is still functioning to diverse and control Fuhe river. The length of Qianjinbei experienced impressive changes with the development of history and the width of branch river mouths, as the original length in Tang dynasty was only over 400 m long, 3,000 m in Song dynasty, 1500m to 2500m in Ming dynasty, and 1,100 m now. But there are damages in parts of the walls.

Zhongzhou is the main area surrounded by the Fuhe river and its branches, and also the field irrigated by Qianjinbei and Zhongzhouwei. The embankment is 304,000 m long in total, 6-8 m wide in the top, 5-6 m high, and the irrigation area is 24.14 km² and the area irrigated is 22,000 mu. Xiaoyigang，the ancient canal of Zhongzhouwei irrigation system，diverts Fuhe river from Qianjinbei and stretches 13 km long. Though its headwork has been disused and part of its diversion function has been replaced by another canal called Jinlinqu, most parts of Xiaoyigang are still kept as it used to be and are still operating for drainage and irrigation.

The management of Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei combined management of the authority and non-governmental forces. In the ancient times, the main structures of Qianjinbei, the banks and canals were under the administration of local governments, while branch canals, lakes and reservoirs were taken care by non-governmental organizations and were overseen by authorities. Such management of public structures reflected the appropriate coordination that took into consideration of responsibilities, rights and interests of various parties. As Records of Jindi, the longest book recording irrigation structures written in Ming dynasty recorded various management methods of such projects, and relevant worshipping buildings and rites. Though the original script has been lost, its records and format were later used by people in Qing dynasty, as seen in Sangyuanwei Records (Sangyuanweizhi), which represented the typicality and influence of Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei.

Worshipping of water deities, on the other hand, is a unique cultural bond connecting authorities and non-governmental forces for the joint efforts in protecting and preserving the irrigation structures in ancient times. Such activities provide another unique perspective to study the management system and culture. As a special temple of Qianjinbei, Shuihu temple serves as a venue for local people, including officials to pray to water deities, and the funds for annual revamp of the temple and cost of worshipping rites come from rents of cultivated land. Zhongzhouwei also has its temple, Kanggong temple, to worship Xie Lingyun, a legendary poet.

Benefits

The Qianjinbei Irrigation System is one of the irrigation systems in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The flood control embankment is composed of river flood control dikes. The area surrounded by the structure is called Wei (围 or 圩) ，meaning enclosure. In the enclosure, the channels and canals, regulating gates and water storage reservoirs constitute a multi-functional engineering system for irrigation, water transportation and drainage. Qianjinbei Irrigation System was built in the last years of the Tang Dynasty and has been operated continuously during Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties. For more than 1100 years, Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei has been an important support for Fuzhou's agricultural economy. Since Song dynasty, Fuzhou has become a region with prosperous economy and culture in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei is a model for sustainable water conservancy projects in ancient China.

Irrigation benefits

After the construction of Qianjinbei in the 9^th century, Qianjinbei Irrigation System has experienced more than 700 years of continuous improvement. The Zhongzhouwei Wei area has therefore become an irrigation area that ensures steady harvest on the matter in droughts and excessive rainfall, which has rapidly promoted agricultural development, regional grain output and population carrying capacity of Fuzhou. It also promoted social, economic and cultural prosperity in the area. In the 16^th century, Gu Zhixian, an official of Fuzhou government, appraised the structure because it brought significant economic, agricultural benefits to the place and enabled local people to lead moderately well-off lives. At present, the irrigation area covers 22,000 mu in total.

According to records, there were 176,349 people in the Tang dynasty in the Fuzhou area, 373, 652 in Song dynasty, 1092,275 in Yuan dynasty, 1,430,366 in the early Ming dynasty, and 1,554,025 in Qing dynasty (over nine times that of the Tang Dynasty). The cultivated land also grew rapidly. During the reign of Emperor Lizong in Song dynasty, Fuzhou had 3,369,570 mu of farmland, and the number increased to 4,581,250 in the rule of Emperor Hongwu in Ming dynasty, 4,896,250 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in Qing dynasty

Flood control and ecological benefits

Qianjinbei structure diverts the river to return to the mainstream of the Fuhe river from its branches, forming a route that circulates the city heading to the west and merges with the water of Linshui river that comes from the south. Such a route surrounds the city from three directions and fundamentally restored the water environment of Fuzhou City, which not only facilitates the domestic water consumption of the residents in the city but also contributes to the military security of Fuzhou City and improves the urban ecological landscape.

The mechanism of diversion of Qianjinbei was summarized in the 13^th century as “trimming branches and developing the main lines”. The branches mean rivers caused by the rechannelling of the Fuhe river or Gangang, and main lines mean the mainstreams. Qianjinbei controls and diverts the Fuhe river in a particular way. During the dry season, the water inlets on both sides of the Fuhe river can normally divert water to support urban and rural life, irrigation water supply and water transport. During the wet season, Fuhe river would be divided into two branches by Qianjinbei, and the main canal and the branches pass water in parallel. At this time, Qianjinbei should be playing a role in flood diversion and ensuring the safety of Fuzhou city. Qianjinbei has effectively regulated and distributed the water resources in Fuzhou city, which has had a profound impact on the local environment. It is a typical excellent ecological water conservancy project.

Water transport benefits

Constructions of irrigation structures had promoted the development of water transport and commerce. Qianjinbei and other irrigation structures greatly improved water transportation in Fuzhou, facilitated the communication among various businesses, laying an indispensable foundation for the development of commodity economy. Wenchang Bridg in the downstream of Qianjinbei waterway is sitting at the east of Fuzhou city. Taking Wenchang Bridge as the centre, the waterway can be divided into two branches. One goes ninety miles up to Nancheng County, and one goes one hundred miles down from Beijindu to Liangjiadu in Nanchang city. Food produced in Fuzhou had been sold overseas through Fuhe river, as Fuzhou grain was sold to places thousands of miles away through Fuhe river in Ming dynasty. According to Examination of Fuzhou Agriculture, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in Qing dynasty, Linchuan exported about 11.2 Million kg of grain each year.

From Ming dynasty to Qing dynasty, many piers and docks were built alongside Zhongzhouwei in the downstream of Qianjinbei canal. At these docks and piers, mooring cargo ships and wooden rafts can freely load and unload goods at the same time, which was very convenient. At the same time, the famous Fuzhou business gang was formed during Ming and Qing dynasties. Ships of Fuzhou business circles sailed from Wenchangli dock to distant areas, and merchants gathered and trade at the dock, which helped them make great fortune.

Social and cultural significance

Qianjinbei effectively streamlined Fuhe river, which controls the water and ensures the irrigation structure’s functions of flood control, urban and rural water supply and water transport. The irrigation function of Zhongzhouwei Irrigation Structure has effectively promoted regional agricultural development, while the water transport function has promoted economic development, as well as material and cultural exchanges.

Where there is good transportation, there is an open and inclusive society. In Tand Dynasty, there emerged few influential figures in Fuzhou because of underdeveloped traffic and other reasons, as seen in the fact that in Tang dynasty, Fuzhou did not have even one person with Jinshi degree (the highest and final degree in the imperial examination in Imperial China) in the 65 scholars who got the laureate in Jiangxi province. In Song and Ming Dynasties, with the development of Fuzhou's economy and the construction of irrigation structures, Fuzhou has become a place of economic prosperity and cultural talents. Fuzhou had 592 Jinshi in Song dynasty and 286 in Ming dynasty, ranking first in the province. Prominent figures in the place included Wang Anshi, a famous politician and poet in North Song dynasty, Lu Jiuyuan, a great philosopher, Yan Shu, a great poet, Wan Gong, an excellent engineer in irrigation construction, and Tang Xianzu, a prominent dramatist. To conclude, the development of irrigation structures and technologies has had a positive effect on the development of cultural undertakings.

Water Heritage

Commissioned in the 9^th year of Xiantong Reign Period (868), Qianjinbei irrigation system enjoys over 1,100 years of history and the existing body is now 395 years old. Zhongzhouwei was completed in the 17th century and has been in existence for more than 300 years. Qianjinbei Irrigation System is a comprehensive engineering system that includes various types of dams, channels, gates and culverts.

The Qianjinbei Irrigation System represents a milestone/turning points in development of irrigated agriculture and bears an exceptional testimony to development of agriculture and increase in food production along with the improvement of economic condition of farmers;

After completion, Qianjinbei irrigation system has radically promoted the development of agriculture in the whole Fuzhou area, greatly increased the grain output and population supporting capacity, making the Ganfu plain a rich granary. As early as in Ming and Qing dynasty, grain produced in from Fuzhou has been sold across China and even abroad.

The Qianjinbei Irrigation System was ahead of its times in terms of project formulation, engineering design, construction techniques, dimensions of the structure itself, quantum of water diverted, and size of the command;

Qianjinbei is a large gravity-type dry stone masonry structure that was built in the Tang dynasty. Its scale, basement treatment and hydraulic construction technologies are ahead of its times. The foundation works constituted special stones to reduce uneven settlement of gravity bodies and ensure the safe operation of the structure. The masonry stones are uniform bricks of tuff, which is used between the concrete and the slab to increase the integrity and stability of the work. At the foot of the reservoir there arranged in the shape of a triangle, which could resist the impact of river flows and protect the banks.

The Qianjinbei Irrigation System made outstanding contribution to enhancing food production, livelihood opportunities, rural prosperity, and poverty alleviation in a region;

The construction and completion of Qianjinbei Irrigation System guaranteed the stability of the water system and the effectiveness of flood control in Fuzhou. In particular, Zhongzhouwei secured a water supply and flood control of 24.14 km² within the irrigation area, which greatly increased food output, facilitated agricultural development, improved the livelihood of farmers and promoted rural prosperity.

The Qianjinbei Irrigation System is an example of attention to environmental aspects in its design and construction;

The completion of the Qianjinbei has restored the water environment of the Fuzhou area that was damaged because of breaches of dykes, and The engineering structure and materials of the dry masonry have good ecological and environmental effects; the improvement of the Qianjinbe irrigation system realized prevented flood disaster in the irrigation area, optimized the spatio-temporal allocation of water resources, and played an important role in maintaining the agro-ecosystem of the irrigation area; Qianjinbei irrigation system has had a profound impact on the natural environment of the Fuhe River system and the Fuzhou area, and is a typical ecological water conservancy project.

The Qianjinbei Irrigation System bears the stamp of a cultural tradition or a civilization of past;

Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei has had a profound influence on regional culture. Since the establishment of Qianjinbei in the Tang Dynasty, Qianjinbei has become the most iconic water conservancy project in Fuzhou, and its cultural influence has spread to the distant Lingnan area. With its outstanding water conservancy benefits and far-reaching historical influence, the project has been deeply rooted in the Fuzhou and Zhongzhouwei area and is widely reflected in the genealogical records and folk culture, forming a unique irrigation culture. The operation management of Qianjinbei-Zhongzhouwei has spawned a unique culture of water god worship and sacrificial culture. Qianjinbei has therefore left an impressive mark in the irrigation culture of Fuzhou area and Ganfu plain.

Present State of Conservation

Qianjinbei is a cultural relic protection site of Fuzhou City, and the authority has special management units to monitor and maintain to ensure the safety and irrigation sustainability of the structure. The local government has conducted systematic investigations and researches on the heritage structures of the irrigation area and established protection marks at important heritage nodes. In addition, the local government is organizing a heritage conservation and utilization plan to promote long-term, scientific protection and inheritance of the heritage structures as well as its cultural significance. The farmers in the irrigation area have benefited from the Qianjinbei Irrigation System for more than 1100 years, so they have a strong sense of belonging and gratitude to local irrigation cultures, which laid a good social foundation for protecting the irrigation structures and preserving cultural heritage.