4.Wetlands Reconstruction

Problem Encountered: The decreased irrigating demands, urban development plans/private land remapping/ farming land remaining/ the development of canal paths and ponds

The Caogong Canal used to be designed with over one hundred of branches initially. In the early period, the pond water was used for irrigation. After the stream water was intercepted and led into canals, the ponds along the canals were well filled and then the irrigating job was implemented. Now, the irrigating water has been changed and drawn from the Kao-Ping Stream. The function of ponds has been vanished with more menace of land remapping posing. In addition, the irrigating water courses gradually disappear because of farming land remapping and urban development plans. Due to the loss of irrigating function and silt for a long term, the water circulation can never be well maintained.

Solution:The Reconstruction and Preservation for Canal Paths and the Man-made Ponds and Wetlands

1. By means of ecological engineering methods, the Caogong Canal can be renovated and to inspect and maintain its branches.
2. Within the urban development plans and farming land remapping, it should be clearly stipulated regulations forbidden for underground bury of land fill but required to leave a 3-meter green belt in width at least for small ditches, 10-meter green belt for medium-sized ditches and 20-meter green belt for main canal courses.
3. After Bagualiao has been landfilled, it will be menaced by flood. It is required for Kaohsiung County Government for prudential countermeasures against floods.
4. Both the Kaohsiung City and County governments should collaborate to develop the Twin-Pond Revival Movement covering the areas of Shetzulin and Chiufanpi to act as the example site for agriculture resource transforming into flood prevention, water-friendly resorts and ecological views.
5. The scenic view of both road sides along the Caogong Canal at the boundary between the Kaohsiung City and County terrains should be well arranged to draw social attention and avoid damage and pollution.
6. The plants suitable for irrigating canal ecology can be cultivated to create enjoyable ecological environment and the canal landscape should be well improved as well.
   

Reflection

In the early periods, the Caogong Canal was mainly purposed to gather all water source within a pond, and the water of pond could be used for irrigation. But now, the original function of the Caogong Canal has been reduced and gradually vanished under the menace of urban development. Thus, we should focus on this issue for much more improvement, and the solution must be designed with ecotechnological engineering for renovation. Also, on both river banks of the Caogong Canal should be planted with more green vegetation and invite the concerns on the Caogong Canal from the public.