Even though the Yeongsan is not so huge comparing to the Han or Nakdong Rivers, it boasts its big scale anyway. The total length is 115.5 km from the source in Damyang to estuary bank which leads to the Yellow Sea. The area of its basin covers the breadbasket of the nation and numbers 3,371㎢. Contrary to popular belief, the river came into my sight humbly. As it flows to Naju, passing Gwangju Metropolitan Area, it reveals its poor amount of flux resulting in hideously exposed sandbars and deteriorated water quality. In the past, was it shabby like this much? According to historic record, hundreds years ago, this river had respectively unique name to each villages: It was called as the Hwangyrong River (literally means, ‘yellow dragon’) from Jangseong to Naju, as Geukrak River (means ‘paradise’) in Gwangsan (correspond to present Gwangsan-gu of Gwangju City), and as Gwangtan (means ‘broad beach’). The several old namings for this river make me allude to its old form and fame which had probably beautiful red clay soil, paradise-looking and broad river beach.
Especially, people call the front side of the Yeongsan Port (Yeongsanpo). The etymology seems to be derived from it, with alluding to its past glorious days. Here stands a lonely lighthouse designated as local cultural asset; and in the past, was a place with abundant thornback rays below unshapely breast-wall. The place is Naju. According to Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the city itself was a national granary and thronged with merchant ships converged from every corner of the nation. Later, in the early twentieth century (opening port to foreign country), as Japanese colonists come and go frequently. Then, steamships and sailboats became parts of the scenery of this old granary harbor. Present old lighthouse were constructed then 1915. Along with enormous commodity earned from rice and salt, Geumnam Financial Union and Naju Financial Association at the downtown of Naju as well as branch of Oriental Development Company. The port gradually became weekend as time goes by with opening of Honam Railway. Finally, as the estuary of the Yeongsan River was built, since than all vessel traffic was halted.
