Introduction
The Dapi Canal traces its origins to the late Ming Dynasty, when General Li Ming-lie, serving under Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong), planned and constructed the system to irrigate farmlands in the Kanding, Nanzhou, and Donggang areas. By diverting water from the Donggang River, the canal became the region’s lifeblood, providing a vital and abundant water source for local agriculture.
Initially, the Dapi Canal utilized simple earthen and stone dams along the riverbed. Due to the primitive nature of these structures, they were frequently destroyed by floods during the irrigation season, proving unreliable for consistent water supply. To better harness the Donggang River, local leaders established the "Dapi Canal Improvement Project Promotion Committee" in February 1964. Following years of feasibility studies by relevant authorities, the "Dapi Canal Intake Headworks Improvement Project" was launched in 1977, adopting a modern mechanical pumping system. Completed in 1978, this modernization replaced traditional damming with a mechanized pumping station, effectively overcoming topographical challenges and ensuring stable water supply.
To this day, local residents continue to honor General Li’s legacy of water management through traditional ceremonies such as the "Zhentou Festival" (Canal Head Ritual). This facility serves not only as a cornerstone of agricultural irrigation but also as a testament to the evolution of water conservancy in the Pingtung Plain, marking the transition from ancient diversion methods to modern hydraulic engineering.
Initially, the Dapi Canal utilized simple earthen and stone dams along the riverbed. Due to the primitive nature of these structures, they were frequently destroyed by floods during the irrigation season, proving unreliable for consistent water supply. To better harness the Donggang River, local leaders established the "Dapi Canal Improvement Project Promotion Committee" in February 1964. Following years of feasibility studies by relevant authorities, the "Dapi Canal Intake Headworks Improvement Project" was launched in 1977, adopting a modern mechanical pumping system. Completed in 1978, this modernization replaced traditional damming with a mechanized pumping station, effectively overcoming topographical challenges and ensuring stable water supply.
To this day, local residents continue to honor General Li’s legacy of water management through traditional ceremonies such as the "Zhentou Festival" (Canal Head Ritual). This facility serves not only as a cornerstone of agricultural irrigation but also as a testament to the evolution of water conservancy in the Pingtung Plain, marking the transition from ancient diversion methods to modern hydraulic engineering.
Traffic