The Guxian Water Control Project on the Yellow River, one of the 102 major projects under China's 14th Five-Year Plan, has entered a fast-track construction phase since July 2024. Located between Jixian County in Shanxi and Yichuan County in Shaanxi, this key Yellow River infrastructure aims to regulate water flow, control sediment, ensure water supply, and generate clean energy.
From a broader perspective, the Guxian Project will work in tandem with other major dams like Longyangxia, Liujiaxia, and Xiaolangdi to optimize water resource allocation across the Yellow River basin. It controls 73% of the river's water volume, 60% of its sediment, and 80% of its coarse sediment, making it a crucial component of China's national water network.
Construction crews are currently tunneling through the left bank of the Yellow River to create two diversion channels, each over 1 kilometer long with an 18.2-meter span. Despite challenging geological conditions featuring alternating layers of sandstone and siltstone, advanced technologies like 3D modeling, geological radar scanning, and intelligent drilling equipment have enabled precise excavation. The first layer of the diversion tunnel achieved a breakthrough with only 9mm deviation in September, with full completion of both tunnels expected by year-end.
Simultaneously, a digital twin of the Guxian Project is being developed using big data, AI algorithms, and high-performance computing. This virtual replica incorporates real-time data from over 1,000 monitoring devices, including satellite imagery, drone surveys, and ground sensors, enabling minute-by-minute construction oversight and predictive analysis.
The project will feature China's tallest roller-compacted concrete gravity dam at 219.5 meters high. Engineers are addressing complex foundation conditions through deep trenching, shear-resistant tunnels, and counterweight solutions. The dam's innovative design includes bottom sediment-flushing outlets, mid-level flood discharge openings, and surface overflow gates to manage the river's high sediment load.
Once operational, the reservoir will stretch over 200 kilometers, improving regional ecology while providing annual electricity generation of approximately 6.348 billion kWh. The project will also transform water access for 23 counties across Shaanxi and Shanxi, benefiting 27 industrial parks and 685,000 acres of farmland through gravity-fed water systems rather than pumping stations.
Facing unique challenges including extreme sediment concentration and high-velocity flows, the Guxian Project represents a significant engineering achievement in water control infrastructure. Construction teams continue to work around the clock to meet critical milestones, ensuring the Yellow River's sustainable development for future generations.