We arrived at Hou-Gang Canal for field research on 10th DEC, 2006. The water quality here was much cleaner than other canals. We saw Mr. Hsi-Hu Yang walking out from a temple of land deity next to Hou-Gang Canal. Mr. Yang was very enthusiastic and accepted the interview which helped us to understand more about the old times of Hou-Gang Canal. |
Q¡GPlease tell us the geographic location of Hou-Gang Canal. |
A¡GYou are now in the village of Hou-Gang. The Hou-Gang Bridge is built recently and can be regarded as the source of Love River. However, to be more strictly speaking, Hou-Gang Bridge is not the real source of Love River. The real one is the connection point of Love River and Caogong Canal that is covered under farms, factories and houses and is hard to identify. Therefore, Hou-Gang Bridge can be the representative source of Love River; at least, it is the closest one within Kaohsiung city. |
Q¡GIs Caogong Canal the upstream of Hou-Gang Canal? |
A¡GThe canal under Hou-Gang Bridge is not quite Hou-Gang Canal because it's actually from Da-Jiang-Miao Canal. Actually, it is a sub-stream of Da-Jiang-Miao Canal, a 300m natural river, while its upstream is Caogong Canal. |
Q¡GWould you tell us how the water quality is in Hou-Gang Canal compared with how it was before? |
A¡GBefore, the water was very clean and often to see anadromous fishes coming here to breed but it was a long time ago. Now, due to constructions, there is some pollution to appear in Hou-Gang Canal. |
Q¡GCould you describe the activities of catching fishes here you experienced? |
A¡GThat was when I was a little kid, a few decades ago. I almost forget everything. But, in my memory, the water was so clean that I was able to see through to the bottom. There were fishes and shrimps swimming slowly. To catch a fish was not difficult at all. Anadromous fishes all swim to Hou-Gang Canal area. |
Q¡GIs the water quality of Hou-Gang Canal better now? |
A¡GIt's not that bad now but it was much better before. Strictly speaking, the water is polluted now.
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Q¡GHas the village size shrunk due to the loss of population? |
A¡GThe scale of Hou-Gang village stays. No big change has occurred. |
Q¡GHow many households are around here? |
A¡GAbout 40 or 50 households. |
Q¡GAny other special sights in Hou-Gang Village? |
A¡GThe riverside around Hou-Gang Bridge is quite different from that cement riverside aside by the mid- and upper-stream of Love River. It's not as simple as it looks like! It may appear to be a part of the nature but is actually piled up by stones. This is a hard work by "Kaohsiung Municipal Ai River Cultural Association", a non-governmental organization. |
Reflection
 When I heard Mr. Yang saying the water quality is bad compared with how it was before, I was surprised. Frankly speaking, the water quality here is better than other canals. I believe the water in canals and rivers were all clean and clear enough to see through decades ago before water pollution got bad. I want to live in an environment without pollutions, too. Therefore, let's work together to protect our rivers and to keep those natural beauty staying forever! |
