When people think of the Yellow River, they often think of its majestic water and the devastating floods that followed. In the past, the Yellow River basin has suffered many large-scale floods, causing serious losses to the lives and property of local people.
In order to prevent possible mega floods in the future, a giant flood gate was created in Puyang County, Henan Province – the Qucun Gate, known as the "largest flood gate in Asia".
This water conservancy project, which cost 80 million yuan to build, can be called a "sky-high" project at that time. But what is surprising is that the gate has not been opened for 46 years since it was built in 1978.
Many people may think that such an astronomical investment is not wasted, but the local people do not regret it, but express gratitude.
The birth of Asia's first gate
A torrential rainstorm in 1975 completely upended the peaceful life in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. At that time, Qucun Township in Puyang County was located in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and although the water potential was relatively stable, it still carried the monstrous floods and sediment rolling in.
According to experts' predictions, even if the upstream Sanmenxia reservoir is regulated, the peak flow could reach 46,000 cubic meters per second.
What does this mean? A standard swimming pool is only a few hundred cubic meters, and the instantaneous flow of 46,000 cubic meters is enough to swallow an entire village in an instant. Houses will fall, farmland will fall, and tens of thousands of lives will suffer. Faced with such staggering figures, the local authorities finally realized that the existing flood protection facilities were no longer enough.
In 1976, a report entitled "Opinions on Preventing Severe Floods in the Lower Reaches of the Yellow River" was presented to the State Council. The report candidly acknowledges that the lower reaches of the Yellow River are chronically threatened by flooding and that stronger protection systems are urgently needed. As a result, a bold plan emerged - to build a new flood gate in Puyang County, the largest in Asia!
This majestic water conservancy project cost as much as 80 million yuan, which was a sky-high price at that time. But when it comes to the safety of tens of thousands of people's lives, no one dares to be careless. The construction team immediately went into intense construction, but the difficulties they faced were not limited to financial problems.
The Yellow River Basin has complex terrain, steep terrain and hard rocks, and in order to build such a behemoth, large-scale terrain improvement and foundation construction must be carried out. It is also necessary to guard against the impact and erosion of floods, and to ensure the stability and safety of the flood gates, all of which undoubtedly increase the arduousness of the project.
At the critical moment, an unusual "construction team" appeared. Township and town cadres, ordinary workers, and even students took the initiative to join in the final sprint. Some farmers left their farm work, some workers put down their tools, and some students abandoned their textbooks, and everyone worked together day and night to complete the work before the flood season came.
Finally, in May 1978, the first lockgate in Asia was completed on schedule before the floods ravaged it. This magnificent flood gate has not only become the "boat of life" for the local people, but also a spiritual symbol that integrates the wisdom of 56 ethnic groups. It stands quietly, guarding the safety of the Yellow River Basin, waiting for the test of the future.
A "super gate" that has never been used
When it comes to the Qucun Gate, I am afraid that many people will have the same question -- this giant water conservancy project, known as "Asia's largest gate", has never been opened for 46 years? Why has this flood control weapon, which cost 80 million yuan, fallen into a deep sleep for many years and has never played its due role?
To this, the answer of the local residents was quite unexpected.
They don't feel that this is a waste of resources, but they feel sincerely relieved and happy. "As long as you don't need it for the rest of your life, that's the best. So said the villagers.
On the surface, these people's attitudes seem to be a little too negative. But if you think about it carefully, this actually shows a problem: as an emergency protection facility, the significance of the Qucun Gate's existence is not to be used frequently, but to ensure that it can function reliably in the event of a last resort.
It turned out that the conditions for the opening of the Qucun Gate were very harsh.
Only when the water level of the Yellow River rises to a catastrophic flood level of more than 22,000 cubic meters per second, upstream reservoirs such as Sanmenxia must first close the sluice gates for storage. If, even so, the water flow still exceeds 10,000 cubic metres per second, then the application for the opening of the Qucun flood gate can be applied.
In other words, the opening of the Qucun Gate means that the Yellow River has fallen into an extremely serious situation, and once it is opened, it will inevitably lead to large-scale detention and flooding. This will undoubtedly bring great disaster to the local area, with houses collapsing, farmland destroyed, and even lives in danger.
As a result, the locals sincerely hope that the gate will never be used, not because they are indifferent to flood control, but because they want their homes to be well-being.
They clearly understand that the meaning of the existence of the Qucun Gate is to become an impregnable barrier and save more lives and property at the most urgent moment.
However, this does not mean that the relevant authorities can let their guard down.
It is not so much good news that the Qucun Gate has not been opened for a long time, but rather that it is due to the excellent results of water conservancy management in the Yellow River Basin over the years. To ensure that this "super gate" is kept in top condition at all times, the staff never stops maintaining and upgrading it.
Regular safety inspections, replacement of hoists and gates, and reinforcement of flood gates are all part of the work.
They are always on high alert, for fear that one day they will really rely on this gate to save lives. It is precisely because of their hard work that the Qucun flood gate can stand tall in times of crisis.
Although the Qucun Gate has never been opened, it is no longer just a simple water conservancy project.
Nowadays, it has become an ecological scenic spot integrating tourism and cultural publicity. In 2021, the Qucun flood gate was listed as a key cultural relics protection unit in Henan Province, indicating its importance not only in flood control function, but also in the historical and cultural value it carries.
In the same year, it also became the practice base of the first batch of "Yellow River Culture Thousand Miles Study Tour" in Henan Province. Thousands of students and tourists come here to explore the mysteries of the Yellow River culture and experience the rich history of this mother river. Qucun Dazha is also expected to be included in the tentative list of China's World Cultural Heritage in Henan Province, which is undoubtedly the highest praise for its status and value.
summary
From a flood control weapon to a cultural protection unit, and then to a research base, the transformation of Qucun Gate can be described as a vivid microcosm. It has witnessed the magnificent development history of the Yellow River for hundreds of years, and recorded the moving story of the coexistence and co-prosperity of the people and this mother river. Today, this "Asia's No. 1 Gate" is not only a project, but also an indelible historical symbol of the Chinese nation.
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