What did Zhengguo Canal look like?

Approximately 150 km long, diverting Jing River water to irrigate the Guanzhong Plain. The canal traverses the edge of the Loess Plateau, using terrain for gravity flow.

How did Zhengguo Canal work?

Divert sediment-rich Jing River water → flows by gravity through canal to saline-alkali land → sediment deposits and covers the saline surface → salt suppression + salt leaching → soil improved to fertile farmland → irrigates over 40,000 qing in Guanzhong.

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郑国渠

Zhengguo Canal

Using the high-sediment water of the Loess Plateau for warping irrigation to reclaim saline-alkali land. A great practice of soil-and-water improvement engineering.

郑国渠

Scientific Principle

Sedimentology + soil improvement: sediment deposition forms a new soil layer that isolates saline-alkali. Hydraulic scour and fill: flow-rate control balances erosion and deposition.