Dongbok Dam
Overview
Dongbok Dam is a multipurpose dam located in Dongbok-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, built on the Jiseokcheon stream, a tributary of the Yeongsan River system. Construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1980. The dam supplies domestic, industrial, and agricultural water to Gwangju Metropolitan City and parts of Jeollanam-do, and performs flood control and power generation functions. Its total storage capacity is approximately 60 million tons, with a watershed area of 175 km² and an annual water supply of about 120 million tons. Dongbok Dam plays a key role in water resource management in the Yeongsan River basin and is evaluated as a central facility for stable water supply in the Gwangju region.
Main Content
Construction Background and History
In the 1970s, South Korea faced severe water shortages due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. In particular, Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Jeollanam-do region urgently needed a stable water supply due to irregular rainfall and seasonal droughts in the Yeongsan River basin. Accordingly, the government began construction of Dongbok Dam in 1976 and completed it in 1980. The total project cost was approximately 20 billion won, and modern dam design technology was applied. The dam is a concrete gravity dam with a height of 35 m, a length of 280 m, and a dam body volume of about 150,000 m³.
Hydrological Characteristics
The watershed area of Dongbok Dam is 175 km², and the average annual precipitation is about 1,300 mm. The dam's total storage capacity is 60 million tons, effective storage capacity is 50 million tons, and dead storage is 10 million tons. The maximum discharge during floods is designed at 1,200 m³ per second, and the spillway consists of four gates. The normal high water level is 98 m above sea level, and the dead water level is 70 m. These hydrological characteristics are optimized for flood control in the lower Yeongsan River and water supply during dry seasons.
Water Supply and Utilization
Dongbok Dam supplies approximately 120 million tons of water annually to Gwangju Metropolitan City, Hwasun-gun, Naju-si, and other areas. Of this, domestic water accounts for 60%, industrial water for 25%, and agricultural water for 15%. Gwangju Metropolitan City relies on Dongbok Dam for about 40% of its total raw water supply, and this proportion increases significantly during summer droughts. Additionally, the dam provides irrigation water to about 5,000 hectares of farmland downstream, contributing to maintaining regional agricultural productivity.
Water Quality Management
Dongbok Dam makes special efforts in water quality management to protect the water source. The upstream area is designated as a water source protection zone, and facilities are installed to block the inflow of livestock wastewater and domestic sewage from the surrounding area. The Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) measures and publishes water quality monthly, and over the past five years, the average water quality has maintained a first-grade level with BOD below 1.0 mg/L. However, the issue of turbid water during heavy rains due to climate change has been pointed out, and since 2020, a selective intake tower has been introduced to allow intake of high-quality water by depth.
Ecosystem and Environment
The area around Dongbok Dam is designated as an ecosystem conservation zone, hosting various flora and fauna. The dam reservoir is rich in fish such as carp, crucian carp, and snakehead, and is also famous as a migratory bird stopover. In particular, many waterfowl, including whooper swans and mallards, visit in winter. An ecological park, Dongbokho Lake Ecological Park, has been created around the dam, providing a resting space for citizens, with waterfront ecological trails and observation decks. However, there is criticism that the dam construction has fragmented some ecosystems, and ongoing efforts for ecosystem restoration, such as installing fishways, are being made.
Power Generation Function
Dongbok Dam operates a small hydropower plant, producing about 5 GWh of electricity annually. This is enough to power about 1,500 households, covering part of the dam's operational power needs, with surplus electricity sold to Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The generation capacity is 1.5 MW, using a turbine generation method with a head of 25 m. This is significant more for regional energy self-sufficiency and renewable energy dissemination than for large-scale power generation.
Latest Trends
As of 2024, Dongbok Dam is introducing a smart water resource management system to prepare for extreme droughts and floods caused by climate change. K-water is developing an AI-based water level prediction model, scheduled for pilot operation from 2025. This model analyzes meteorological data and watershed characteristics to predict the dam's water level seven days in advance with over 90% accuracy. Additionally, from 2023 to 2027, a total of 50 billion won is being invested in dam aging countermeasure projects. These include reinforcement of the dam body, modernization of gates, and additional installation of selective intake towers. In the summer of 2024, Dongbok Dam successfully prevented flooding downstream by discharging 800 m³ per second due to record heavy rains. Conversely, in the winter of 2023, severe drought caused the storage rate to drop to 30%, leading to water rationing in the Gwangju area. In response, the government is promoting the expansion of small reservoirs and rainwater storage facilities upstream of Dongbok Dam. Furthermore, from 2025, plans are underway to install solar power generation facilities along the dam's waterfront to expand renewable energy production. Environmental groups have raised concerns about potential ecosystem damage and are demanding alternatives.
Related Topics
- [[Yeongsan River]]
- [[Gwangju Metropolitan City Water Supply]]
- [[Korea Water Resources Corporation]]
- [[Hwasun-gun]]
- [[Multipurpose Dam]]