The Nakdong Estuary Barrage and Land Reclamation Project

As a result of the increasing industrial, municipal and agricultural water demand in the Nakdong River Basin, the available amount of fresh river water to repulse salinity intrusion into the lower reaches of the river rapidly decreases during the dry season. Hence the continuity of fresh water supply to the city of Busan, is endangered. The most appropriate solution, both technically and economically is a barrage and enclosure dam in the river estuary. A study was carried out on the interaction between the barrage construction and the estuary and river environment. This study comprised ecological, water quality and morphological aspects. The results were incorporated into the technical design and proposed management of the barrage. This approach resulted in a solution, where the primary objective of the barrage, salinity repulsion, was achieved with a minimised impact on the environment.