Attractions:
Geographical location
Houlong River is the biggest river in Miaoli County. Upstream branches include the Wenshui River which originates in Luchang Mountain, with which Dahu river and Yenshuikeng Rivier join together in Shihtang Township from where the river is named Houlong River; it then combines with the Keelung River in Tonglo township and by-passes Miaoli City, meet the Loutienliao River and Saho River in Touwu Township, and finally passes Houlong Township and reaches the sea near Gongshihliao. The basin area, covering eight townships: Taian, Dahu, Shihtang, Gongguang, Tonglo, Miaoli, Touwu, and Houlong, totals 536.59 km2. And the trunk extends 58.3 Km.
Landform
87% of the river basin is mountainous. Upstream canyons are deep and tranquil, downstream valleys and plains fertile and good for farming. Average slope is around 1:160 below Fukee, above which the slope averages 1:26. Branches, totaling 12, include Dahu River, Nanhu River (originates in the Malabon Mountains), Wenshui River (with Taian Spring, Tiger Mountain Spring and Malabon Mountain at its upstream source), Yenshuikeng Rivier, Keelung River, Damago River, Shuanglong canal, Saho River, Loutienliao River (with Minde Reservoir at its mid-up stream), Hsintieng River (upstream to Mingde Reservoir), Nanshih River and Peishih River.
Water Resources
The river basin has an altitude difference of more than 2,000 meters and so, the climate deviation is large. High altitude areas are close to wind-front which yields high rainfall, a yearly average of 1962.6 cm is recorded, and deviation between rainy and dry seasons is large. Yearly average flow of Houlong River is 410 million m3, which is used for irrigation in the basin, industrial use and public water supply. Meanwhile, the branch Laotianliao River is used for irrigation in the basin, as well as industrial and civil use. It is merely sufficient for the present conditions and so a Tienghwa Lake Reservoir is planned to be built in the future.
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Development:
In ancient times, valley springs were the only source for irrigation in the basin. Immigrants after the late Ming Dynasty started building small-scale constructions of guiding water. In the 20th year of the reign of Emperor Chienglong in the Ching Dynasty (1755), farmers from 6 Townships including Miaoli and Shishang, raised funds for building the Gueishan Dapo canal. After that, Shuanglong canal and Houlong canal were built one by one. By modifications in the Japan Occupation and after restoration, as well as implementation of improvement measures of alternating irrigation, the irrigation facilities thrived . By the year 1970, Minde Reservoir was built (on the valley of the branch of Laotienliao River) not only for maintaining agricultural irrigation but also for meeting industrial and public water needs. This reservoir further developed the local area. Miaoli City thus became well developed in commercial and industrial aspects. Added with its convenient location, Miaoli City became the location of Miaoli County Government.
Houlong River also features developments in coal mining and oil fields. Large-scale coal mining started after the Japan Occupation. In addition, by the end of the reign of Emperor Shienfong of the Ching Dynasty (1861), an Uplands Translator named Chiugou discovered oil seepage and natural gas pores at Choohuangken (sulfurous pit) on south bank upstream the river, which was the very first of the Taiwan oil fields.
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Management:
River training history
Flood banks of Houlong River were being built in the early Ching Dynasty; made until 1922, the prototype of the banks were formed but still only temporary improvement. Population and land use was mostly distributed on the alluvial plain or the development reclaimed-land along the river where protection from flood was mostly required. But passing through the history of "the August 7th Flood", Typhoon Gloria, Typhoon Hope, Typhoon Taochi and Typhoon Nari, these 50 years old constructions began to be in need of reinforcing and maintaining.
In order to achieve thorough flood prevention facilities, the former Water Resource Department (now Water Resource Agency, MOEA) had accomplished, respectively in 1982, 1996 and 1997, the regulating plans and basic regulating plans for sections below and above Fukee Bank, and for the upstream branch Laotienliao River. These plans, approved and publicly released by MOEA, had been implemented according to a planned schedule.
Principles of river training
The upstream watercourse of Houlong River varies in width and features steep slopes and turbulent flow. The channel is obviously deep and stable so that the regulation is focused on maintaining its existing flood releasing capabilities and placing necessary constructions in required sections. Flood preventive measures are the main means for mid- and down-streams in which critical developments of Miaoli are located.
Measures of river training
The mainstream, Houlong River
(1) From river mouth to the mountain line railroad overpass: The right bank shall be furnished with dikes in association with the developed plan of Houlong reclaimed land and the draining plan of Peishih River. The left bank shall be furnished with protective banks at critical points for preventing collapses. The sea wall on the north shore shall be modified to connect with the river bank.
(2) From the mountain line railroad overpass to Gueishan Bridge: The right bank is planned to continue accomplishing the embankment system. The left bank Chiasun section will be maintained as the existing waterway with necessary protective bank or T-dam provided for critical points.
(3) From Gueishan Bridge to Fukee: The mountain-side left bank shall be furnished with protective embankment to prevent collapse. The right bank shall be furnished with dikes to prevent flooding. The area in-between the waterway regulation border line and the cliff line shall be used as an overflow and sand trap, and shall be subject to control.
(4) From Fukee to the converge point of Wenshui River Since the right bank Fukee township is at the concave side, protective banks shall be furnished at Fukee and Daluken, and bamboo forest (桂竹林) shall be furnished at the concave bank downstream to Wenshui Bridge as a protective bank. The left bank Chientsuo embankment shall be elevated and reinforced.
(5) Converging point of Wenshui River to Gonjin Bridge: Furnish embankment and protective banks at necessary sections, modify the existing Hwahsing protective bank into embankment and extend the length. Structure of Fuhsing embankment shall be elevated and reinforced.
(6) Gonjin Bridge to Shehliao Cape bank-end: The existing bank is insufficient in height and shall be elevated and reinforced. Embankment shall be provided for necessary sections in accordance with the waterway regulation plan.
The branch Laotienliao River
(1) From the converging point of Laotienliao River and Houlong River to Freeway overpass: Primarily for flood guidance with flood prevention as supplementary, setup embankment at flooding sections and furnish protective engineers at deep channel sections.
(2) From Freeway overpass to the end of the spillway of Minde Reservoir: Primarily for flood guidance, furnish protective banks on both sides at deep channel sections, so as to remove the over-flourishing bamboo forest to enhance its flood guidance capacity.
Water Drainage and Land Renovation
Building of flood banks and embankments Houlong river Length planned 56,455m, Length completed 46,400m, Length to be built10,055m,
River Environment Improvement Projects
Houlong River Touwu bank section river environment improvement project
Houlong River Freeway bank section river environment improvement project
Project Performances
‧Provides protection for safety of human life and property of the 300,000 populations along side Houlong River in the southern part of Miaoli County.
‧Provides protection for 12,000 hectares farmland, 60 km road system, an industrial park and several scenic spring locations and tourist orchards.
‧Improves and beautifies river landscape in harmony with neighboring areas for tourism and leisure purposes.
‧Provides protection and improves investment environment to factories and technical companies in Miaoli City and County.
‧Promotes value increase for the adjoining lands
Vision of Water Management
‧Ensure function of flood prevention and maintain public safety.
‧Create fascination with the river and reveal features of the river.
‧Foster environmental ecology and maintain biological diversity.
‧Mold features of the landscape and integrate the landscape into environment of the community.
‧Increase locations for leisure and promote activity between parents and children.
‧Fulfill the goal of sustainable management of Houlong River in the aspect of water administration, water resources, water affinity and water activity.
Ecology:
When the migrants pay their visits to Houlong, the scene is phenomenal.
Zoological Resources
Fish found in Houlong River total to 18 families, 45 species, of which Cirrhina Molitorella, Carp, Pond loach, Claris betrachus, Hypostomus plecostomu, Gambusia affinis, Tilapia, and Channa gachua are 8 exotic species while, all others are local. There are 4 migratory species: Anguilla japonicus, Rhyacichthys aspro, Eleotris fusca, and Sicyopterus japonicus.
There are 34 families, totaling to 103 species of birds found in the area. The river mouth near Houlong Lake is the important habitat of winter migrants, while birds in the basins of Wenshui River, Dahu River, Yenshuiken River and Hsintieng River are mostly of forest type.
Plant Resources
Plants in the peripheral of downstream Houlong River are mostly annuals, biennials and perennials; weedy plants are rare. In the peripheral of the midstream, there are pure woods of Taiwan acacia and mountain jute. The upstream branch valleys are full of trees, virgin forests of broadleaf trees exist along
No. 3 provincial freeway in the Hsintieng River basin, around Twinpeak Mountain on left bank of Keelung River and the origins of Wenshui River and Dahu River.
Maintenance:
Your support is needed to recover the vitality of the river.
Accomplishments and Results of Fengshan River Inspection:
‧Permit for plantation on public land in the river district: 78 cases, covering the area of 79.9814 hectares
‧Handling of Illegal Practices: 69 cases up to the end of 2004.
‧Inspection of Public Land in the River District: by the end of 2003, the inspection was completed, covering an area of 2,482 hectares.
‧Survey of the River District: By the end of 2003, the survey was complete; the total length of the river was 26.75km.
‧Patrolling and handling of illegal practices: 376 cases by April 2003.
‧Regulation of the river, ducts, and regional ducts; regular maintenance of the water gate and pumping machine.
‧Sponsored the "Love the River and Rebuild our Beautiful Homes" educational and promotional activities series: Through large-scale activities, such as concerts, speeches and seminars, and color paintings on the embankment walls, etc, we have worked towards building up a new relationship between the people and the river.
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Expression:
Different sections of the river, different gatherings of residents, versatile cultural spectacles.
The Origin of the River's Name
Houlong Township, used to be the scattering locality for the Pinpu Tribe Taokas Community, was known as "Allan" in the old days. After the Ching Dynasty, the name was changed to "Houlong" based on the pronunciation, in the Japan Occupation, the "earth" radical of the Chinese character was removed but the sound of the name stayed the same, until now. The river is named after the place at the river mouth, Houlong.
Ethnic communities
Taian township at the upstream is mostly inhabited by aboriginals of the Atayal Tribe. Downward from Wenshui Village of Shihtang Township is the blending area where Atayal people mingled with Hakka people. Gongguang, Tonglo, Miaoli, Touwu, Tzaochiao in the mid- and down-stream areas are the main residential areas of the Hakka people. South from Fonfu Li of Houlong Township is the blending place of Hakka and Holuo peoples, while south of Liusuwang is the Holuo people's residential place. In other parts of the region, people from Mainland China have mingled with the above 3 groups, thus forming a versatile cultural communities.
Festival and ceremonies
The Harvest Festival of the Atayals includes ceremonies of reclamation, seeding, harvesting, hunting, ancestors' spirits, and the grand ceremony of integral thanksgiving for ancestors' blessings. There are performances of Weaving Dance, Mouth Organ Dance, Atayal Wedding ceremonies, Rice-punching Dance that most represent the uniqueness of the Atayals. These are also the most important activities that glue the Atayals together.