Pingtung Begins Final Phase of NiouChou River Project: Widening Channels and Building Detention Pond

(CNA, Pingtung County, 19th) Due to insufficient channel cross-section and obstruction from bridges affecting flood discharge, the Pingtung County Government is promoting the widening of the NiouChou River channel and the construction of a new detention pond, with a groundbreaking ceremony held today. In the future, besides strengthening flood resilience, the project will also create a park with recreational functions, completing the last mile of water management along the river. To improve the flooding problem along the NiouChou River, the Pingtung County Government, following the completion of the Changxing Bridge section's整治, today continued with the "NiouChou River Drainage Improvement Project (Phase II) (including bridge reconstruction)" and the "NiouChou River Upstream Detention Pond Construction Project." The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi. In her speech, Chou Chun-mi stated that the drainage of NiouChou River has been affected for years by insufficient channel cross-section and obstruction from bridges, impacting its discharge efficiency. Now, the related improvement projects have entered the final mile. She thanked President Lai Ching-te for his concern for disaster prevention and water management projects in Pingtung during his visit in the wake of Typhoon Gaemi in 2024, and for approving nearly NT$3 billion in funds to accelerate drainage improvement projects in the county. The Pingtung County Government's Water Resources Department stated that the total cost of the "NiouChou River Drainage Improvement Project (Phase II) (including bridge reconstruction)" is about NT$304 million, with completion expected in April 2028. Continuing the results of downstream management, Phase II will carry out channel widening for a total length of about 1,827 meters from "11K+695 to 13K+522." The work includes new mixed riprap revetments, three-sided concrete lining, and bed stabilizers, along with the simultaneous reconstruction of three bridges: Fengnan Bridge, No. 12 Slab Bridge, and No. 13 Slab Bridge. Regarding the bridge improvements, the Water Resources Department pointed out that before the channel was widened, farmers set up simple makeshift bridges for easy access to their fields. During heavy rains, large amounts of debris and weeds from upstream would wash down, and the insufficient span of the bridges easily caused blockages and overflows. This project will widen the bridges to 15 meters and adopt a pier-less design to increase the space for water flow. The Water Resources Department also stated that to more effectively divert floods and increase storage capacity, a new "NiouChou River Detention Pond" is planned at the second public cemetery in Changzhi Township, expected to be completed in November 2027. The project, approved by the Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs with a budget of NT$148 million, will create a detention pond of about 8.5 hectares with a capacity of 150,000 tons. This will raise the drainage standard to ensure flood safety for a 25-year return period. It will also feature ecological engineering with natural stone revetments, a riparian buffer zone, nectariferous plant cultivation, and a shaded green belt on the levee crest. In addition, the site is planned to have a circular trail, a large lawn at the bottom of the pond, an ecological path along the water channel, and a marsh area. A recreational theme area, including a climbing slide and rope-pulling facilities, will be set up on the south side.