On June 20, "The Weihe River comprehensive management project adopts the method of combining embankments, roads and forests, and mixing trees, shrubs and grasses, using gabion revetments for slope protection, then covering with soil and planting greenery. At present, the construction of the 200-meter landscape green belt south of the embankment in the Weihe River urban section and the greening of the embankment top have been fully completed, with a greening area of 31,500 mu." Wang Yijun, a staff member of the Xi'an Weihe River Ecological Management Center, introduced on the 20th.

On the same day, reporters followed the 2024 "High-Quality Development Research Tour" Shaanxi themed interview group into Xi'an Lake, Bawei Bridge and other places to learn about Xi'an's water management work.

On June 20, a summer scene at Xi'an Lake.

It is reported that the Weihe River is the largest tributary of the Yellow River, with a main stream length of 818 kilometers, of which 512 kilometers are within Shaanxi Province, involving multiple cities and prefectures in Shaanxi. Xi'an Lake is located on the south bank of the Weihe River in the Xi'an urban section, with a total area of 3,000 mu and an ecological water surface area of 1,500 mu, making it the city's largest reclaimed water lake.

Xi'an Lake is one of Xi'an's Weihe River floodplain management projects. Construction began in 2013, mainly using the original abandoned sand pits, adapting measures to local conditions, accumulating sand into islands and gathering water into a lake to form a water area. In 2016, in order to further improve the greening effect, the Xi'an Lake upgrading and renovation project was launched, building new waterside loop trails around the lake, node plazas and other infrastructure; through water diversion pipes, about 20,000 to 70,000 cubic meters of water are replenished to the lake area every day from the Caotan Sewage Treatment Plant.

At the lake area, reporters saw that aquatic plants such as lotus and reeds have been planted, and fish species such as colored crucian carp and silver carp have been released. Through the construction of a water ecosystem, reclaimed water is secondarily purified within the lake area, and finally overflows from the northeast corner of Xi'an Lake into the Weihe River.

The completion of Xi'an Lake has improved the ecological environment of the floodplain in the Weihe River urban section. It is integrated with the Weihe River Urban Sports Park and the reed wetland, forming an overall function of ecology, leisure, water viewing and greenery appreciation, and is also known as a model project of water ecological restoration that "turns sewage into clear streams and injects lakes to create beautiful scenery."

The picture shows a scene at Bawei Bridge in Xi'an.

Arriving at Bawei Bridge, located at the confluence of the Bahe River and the Weihe River on the south bank of the Weihe River, reporters learned that this is a bridge integrating flood control, transportation and cultural display functions. Its antique design rich in corridor and pavilion elements has attracted many citizens and tourists to visit and take photos.

The adjacent Bawei Ecological Floodplain retains its original ecological appearance, diverting water from the Bahe River into low-lying areas to form a water surface of 2,400 mu. The ecological floodplain has the functions of purifying water bodies, conserving water sources and restoring floodplains, and is a classic work of Xi'an's construction of a "sponge city" and the project to restore "eight rivers around Chang'an."

From once being covered with sand pits, overgrown with weeds and with winding lake shores, to today's vast waters, flocks of migratory birds and swaying reeds, the construction of the Weihe River comprehensive management project has brought into play remarkable flood control, ecological, economic and social benefits.

Today, touring the banks of the Xi'an section of the Weihe River, one can see various birds inhabiting and breeding here. According to statistics, there are already more than 100 species of birds in the Weihe River floodplain, including the Baer's pochard and the scaly-sided merganser; national bicycle races, provincial and municipal fitness-for-all activities and other events have also been held here, with supporting facilities continuously improved, achieving the construction goals of "smooth floods, solid embankments, clear water, green banks and beautiful scenery."

Wang Tuanwei, director of the Xi'an Water Affairs Construction and Development Center, said that Xi'an will base itself on the "water-floodplain-city" of the Weihe River to shape a riverside landscape that is ecologically livable, blends ancient and modern, and develops innovatively; strictly implement the Weihe River protection requirements, explore green, circular and low-carbon development paths, promote the comprehensive integration of "ecology + culture + resources + digital," and comprehensively advance the high-quality development of the Xi'an section of the Weihe River.