Kangbashi revitalizes urban waterway through systematic management

The improved flood-control channel along the Abuhai River. [Photo/Ordos Integrated Media Center]

The Abuhai River, a 41-kilometer tributary of the Ulan Mulun River, runs through Kangbashi district in Ordos, serving as both a key flood-control channel and an ecological corridor.

Once affected by bank collapses, sediment buildup, and poor water circulation, the river had faced mounting flood-control and environmental challenges. To address these issues, Kangbashi has launched a comprehensive management project, shifting from localized fixes to systematic waterway management.

The project covers 4.5 kilometers of river and is designed to withstand floods with a return period of 50 years. It is part of broader efforts to strengthen flood-control infrastructure and improve urban water security.

Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Kangbashi has invested 140 million yuan ($19.5 million) in the comprehensive management of five major rivers.

As flood-control projects covering 8 kilometers of the Abuhai River cutting through the urban area progress, vegetation coverage along the river has risen to 60 percent, while annual sediment inflow has been reduced by nearly 4,000 metric tons. The projects have also added 30,000 cubic meters of water storage capacity.

Ecological restoration has been carried out across 25.69 hectares along the lower reaches of the river, combining vegetation restoration, soil and water conservation, and bank improvement.

With 90 percent of the overall project completed, seven former black, odorous ponds and abandoned pits have been transformed into clean streams and landscaped spaces. Riverside trails, greenery, and public facilities now provide residents with places for recreation, fitness, and family activities.