From 2014 to 2016, a total of 25.78 billion yuan ($4.2 billion) will be invested in Harbin water ecological projects, including 13.6 billion yuan on key demonstration projects, such as the water protection project of Mopanshan Reservoir and flood protection project of Ashi River (Xiangfang section), according to the Implementation Plan on Water Ecological Construction of Pilot City Harbin approved recently by the Heilongjiang provincial government.

The plan covers ecological construction in water resource management; dike engineering, bank protection engineering and outbuildings; protection and recovery of water ecosystems; and development of water culture and landscape.

Levees: Powered to combat floods

To date, levees in Harbin urban areas have flood control standards lasting 20, 30, 50 and 100 years. The plan aims to make levees along the south and north banks of the Songhua River flood resistant for at least 50 years by the end 2016.

Mopanshan Reservoir: Wireless monitoring coverage

So far, residents in the first-grade protection zones of Mopanshan Reservoir have been relocated. Preparatory work for opening the secondary and the quasi-protected areas is underway.

During the construction period, Harbin will concede the land to forestry in first-grade protected areas; build reservoir pivot and safe offices; and cooperate with Denmark to establish an automatic system to monitor water quality regarding indicators of temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity resistance, PH and ammonia.

A wireless network monitoring system covering the whole territory of the first-grade protected area will be established to observe situations inside.

Wetland: Certified rating system

Harbin plans to rate wetlands into different classifications based on the principles of comprehensive identification and feedback from the public. To ensure a balanced wetland ecosystem in Harbin, compensation and license mechanisms have been adopted for newly developed wetlands.