Dr. Oda Hideaki, an Urban River Restoration Specialist in Japan
Dr. Oda Hideaki (right) is talking to the field official at construction site of the Gangjeong Weir
“The weirs harmonized in nature are very impressive.”
October 10th, Dr. Oda Hideaki(70) said “the design of weir representing Gaya earthenware and Gayageum is much more beautiful than I imagined,” when he visited the construction site of Gangjeong Weir in the Nakdong River between Gwagchon-ri of Dasan-myeon, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk and Jukgok-ri of Dasa-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu.
Dr. Oda is an international expert of river maintenance who has been in charge of river domain in the Public Works Research Institute of Japan (like the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs in Korea) for a very long time. He manages a NPO now for international businesses related to water resources and restoration of urban rivers. Gangjeong Weir is 953.5m in length and attracts the most attention among 16 weirs constructed in the four rivers for having the largest rotational water gate in Asia.
Dr. Oda has looked around the construction site very carefully and said “no way (with laughter)” brushing off the opinion that the Gangjeong Weir is at the early stage of ‘canal’ business. He added, “even if the boats try to move upstream from the bottom river, it is not possible for them to sail away since the weirs are obstructing the path.”
He viewed the assertion that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is the destruction of nature as an opinion neglecting the picture as a whole. He said with certainty, “In the beginning there might be damages from erosion and other changes, but problems as such will disappear with proficient management of water.” Relating some civil movements against the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, Dr. Oda mentioned that there were objections from civic groups in Japan when Nagoya municipal of Aichi operated dredging within the Nagara River 10 years ago. The weir installation was carried out then to prevent overflows of sea water, while the civic groups protested raising their voices that it would destruct nature. As a result of the construction, however, the water quality was improved and the environment was recuperated. Dr. Oda said “the construction period of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project was too short for it to be discussed thoroughly with many different social classes in advance. That would be the only drawback if I were to find one.”
Gangjeong Weir of the Nakdong River which Dr. Oda Hideaki said to be much more beautiful than what he had imagined
