Ansan Reed Marshy Park

Ansan Reed Marshy Park

'Ansan Reed Marshy Park' (安山芦苇濕地公園, Korean: 안산갈대습지공원) is a wetland park located in Sadong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

As the first man-made wetland in Korea, the park which began construction in 1997 and was completed in December 2005, was originally called Sihwa Lake Wetland Park, but in April 2014, the jurisdiction of the park was divided between Ansan City and Hwaseong City from the Korea Water Resources Corporation, the part of Ansan City is called Ansan Reed Marshy Park, and the part of Hwaseong City is called Bibong Marshy Park. Since 2014, the Ansan Reed Marshy Park has been pursuing Ramsar wetland status, and the park has served as a measure of the recovery of the Sihwa Lake ecosystem.

Background

Under the Sihwa District Reclamation Project Plan, which aims to expand Ansan Smart Hubwas and agricultural land, the area, formerly called Gunja Bay, was constructed as the Sihwa Sea Wall from 1987 to 1994. As the seawall impounded the water and turned it into a freshwater lake, factory wastewater and domestic sewage accumulated. The water quality rapidly deteriorated, with an average of 17.4 parts per million (ppm) of chemical oxygen demand (COD), far exceeding the agricultural water standard of 8 ppm, and some spots exceeding 80 ppm, leading to the death of many organisms.

It was nicknamed the “Lake of Death” and criticized by local residents and public opinion for destroying the ecosystem. A subsequent audit by the National Audit Office found that 6979 wastewater pipes were poorly constructed due to KWRA's lack of supervision, resulting in an average of 7,000 tons of wastewater being discharged per day, and that Ansan City's sewage treatment plant was also poorly operated, resulting in the discharge of wastewater, which the KWRA had underestimated in its environmental impact assessment at 5.7 ppm. This led to the disciplinary action of 14 officials from the Korea Water Resources Corporation, Ansan City, the Han River Basin Environment Agency, and the Ministry of Construction and Transportation."[3][4] The next step was to save Sihwa Lake. As a measure to improve water quality, the government will expand sewage treatment plants, conduct a pilot seawater distribution through drainage gates, and create an artificial wetland area upstream of Sihwa Lake.[5][6][7

Construction

Korea Water Resources Corporation (KWRC) built the wetland at a cost of KRW 26.8 billion on 1.03 million square meters upstream of Sihwa Lake, where Banwolcheon, Donghwacheon, and Samhwacheon streams meet. The purpose was to treat wastewater from the three rivers by using the natural purification function of the wetland, and also to cultivate endangered native vegetation and utilize it as a habitat for wildlife. As it was the first artificial wetland in Korea, the designers sought advice from the U.S.-based Hajja Engineering Company.

Configure

In the center of the wetland is an artificial island where wildlife can rest, and around it is a deep, reed-free area of underwater plants and wildlife activity. The two-story, 160-square-meter ecology center consists of an exhibition hall and an observation deck, and in front of the ecology center is an ecological pond where the purified water from the wetland finally exits. Irises, yellow irises, and water lilies bloom around the pond. There is a wildflower path planted with various trees and wildflowers, and a 1.7-kilometer trail to observe the wetland. You can observe migratory birds such as ducks, herons, long-legged plovers, yellow ducks, and great egrets."[9]

In April 2014, the Korea Water Resources Corporation handed over 641,815m² to Hwaseong City and 396,685m2 to Ansan City, the former jurisdiction. The park was thus divided into Ansan Reedbed Wetland Park and Bibong Wetland Park.[10]

Impact

Ecosystem recovery

In 2014, 2,929 individuals of 111 bird species were observed, including 11 natural monuments and 9 endangered species, such as the monkey and kestrel, as well as macaques, golden frogs, deer, elk, raccoons, and otters, which are classified as class 2 endangered, and class 1 endangered. The fact that it has become a home for these animals is a testament to the abundance of food and the improvement of the surrounding environment. This recovery has led to the city of Ansan applying to register the wetland as a Ramsar site.

Criticism and controversy

Conflict over artificial pump operating costs between municipalities

Originally owned by Korea Water Resources Corporation, the neighboring local governments agreed to prioritize water quality management of Sihwa Lake at the time of its creation. However, in April 2014, the KWE handed over 641,815 square meters to Hwaseong City and 396,685 square meters to Ansan City, the former jurisdictions. The wetland is at a higher elevation than the tributary streams, so it is supplied with water through artificial pumps.