First constructed in 1956, Dongfeng Canal is situated in the core region of the Chengdu metropolitan area. As an important part of the Dujiangyan Irrigation District, the Dongfeng Canal irrigation region lies in the heartland of the Chengdu Plain. It comprises 16 main canals totaling 753.67 kilometers, with an adequate irrigation area of 2.917 million mu and a controlled irrigation area of 5.374 million mu. Every year, it diverts approximately 5.5 billion cubic meters of water, ensuring a reliable water supply for 19 counties (cities, districts) in Chengdu and Meishan, as well as the Tianfu New Area. The canal system also undertakes the task of conveying water to the Longquanshan and Heilongtan irrigation districts and the Pihe Water Supply Project.

Shidi Weir Hub [Photo by Liu Qirong]

The Shidi Weir Hub alone diverts an annual average of 1.9 billion cubic meters of Minjiang River water from Dujiangyan, providing gravity-fed irrigation for Chengdu’s central urban districts, the Eastern New Area, Sichuan Tianfu New Area, and Meishan City. It also supplies water to 11 water treatment plants along its route, benefiting over 10 million people. In so doing, it delivers high-quality water resources that not only facilitate the creation of a higher-level “Tianfu Granary” in the new era but also further the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-City Economic Circle.