Sayeon Dam Water Level Reaches 53m, World Heritage Bangudae Petroglyphs Begin to Flood

【Financial News Ulsan=Choi Soo-sang Reporter】The water level of Sayeon Dam has surpassed 53m, the point at which the UNESCO World Heritage 'Bangudae Petroglyphs in Ulju Daegok-ri' begin to submerge.
According to Korea Water Resources Corporation, the water level of Sayeon Dam reached 53m around 5 AM on the 19th and is currently recorded at 53.8m as of 6 AM. 
The Bangudae Petroglyphs are located approximately 3.1km upstream from Sayeon Dam in Daegokcheon (Bangucheon). The full water level of Sayeon Dam is 60m, and when the water level reaches 53m, the lower part of the Bangudae Petroglyphs begins to submerge, becoming completely submerged at 57m.
The upstream areas of Sayeon Dam, including Duseo-myeon and Dudong-myeon in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, received 56mm of rain on the 18th, followed by 48.5mm of heavy rain until dawn on this day. It is forecasted that an additional 65mm of rain will fall in this area by the afternoon.
The Bangudae Petroglyphs have been frequently submerged since the completion of Sayeon Dam in 1965, especially during heavy rains and typhoons. This time, it has been one week since it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site on the 12th.
With repeated flooding, the rock face on which the petroglyphs are drawn has developed cracks due to weathering, and parts of the rock have fallen off, accelerating the damage. 
To prevent repeated flooding and damage, a project to install three gates on the spillway of Sayeon Dam is currently underway. The detailed design is in progress, and the project is expected to be completed by 2030. Unfortunately, until then, flooding and damage are inevitable.

ulsan@fnnews.com Choi Soo-sang Reporter