K-water to prevent flooding of Bangudae Petroglyphs... Sayeon Dam safety enhancement project gets underway

[Financial News] Work is beginning to reinforce the aging Sayeon Dam and prevent flooding of the Ulju Daegok-ri Bangudae Petroglyphs, a National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project will install new gates to regulate water releases during the flood season and allow the dam’s water level to be managed below the elevation of the petroglyphs.
Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) said it would begin the main construction phase of the “Sayeon Dam Safety Enhancement Project” on the 9th, in partnership with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) and Ulsan Metropolitan City. The project is fully funded by the government, with 80.9 billion won allocated, and is scheduled for completion in 2030.
Completed in 1965, Sayeon Dam is now more than 60 years old, and the need to reinforce it against compound disasters such as extreme floods and earthquakes has been raised. The Bangudae Petroglyphs lie at an elevation of 53 meters above sea level, below the dam’s full-supply level of 60 meters, and have repeatedly been inundated during periods of heavy rain.
The project will lower the natural overflow spillway from an elevation of 60 meters to 47 meters above sea level and install three gates measuring 15 meters wide and 7 meters high. This will establish the capacity to release water proactively and flexibly even during the flood season, keeping the dam’s water level at or below 53 meters above sea level.
A new intake tower and connecting pipelines will also be built. The plan is to replace aging facilities while maintaining a stable supply of domestic and industrial water to the Ulsan region. Construction will proceed in stages: excavating the spillway, manufacturing and installing the gates, and building the water intake facilities.
Jang Byeong-hun, head of the Water Resources and Environment Division, said, “We will ensure the work proceeds without accidents through thorough safety management, and do our utmost to secure a stable water supply for the Ulsan region and protect the safety of its residents.”
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter