On November 26, 2024, in Suqian, Jiangsu, the Sihong Station complex of the first phase of the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project was in the process of water transfer. Visual China Group, file photo

Today (December 1), the first phase of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project launched its 2024–2025 ice-period water conveyance work, and the first phase of the Eastern Route will launch ice-period water conveyance on December 21. The ice-period water conveyance of the first phases of the Middle and Eastern Routes is expected to conclude by the end of February 2025.

The Middle Route Company of China South-to-North Water Diversion Group, through the dual drive of the mathematical-statistical model and the mechanism model of its digital twin platform, carries out forecasting and prediction of canal water temperature and ice conditions, and has added 18 sets of meteorological and water-temperature monitoring and sensing equipment to achieve real-time monitoring, providing technical support for consultation and dispatch operation decision-making. Along the project route, 104 ice-stop cables, 180 sets of ice-melting equipment, 110 sets of ice-disturbing equipment, 15 ice-discharging gates, and 4 sets of hydraulic ice-raking machines have been deployed; the maintenance and commissioning of emergency rescue equipment has been completed; measurement methods for shore ice, ice cover, and the like have been systematically organized; and operating and maintenance procedures for ice-prevention equipment have been compiled.

Since water conveyance began on December 12, 2014, the first phase of the Middle Route Project has gone through 10 ice periods and withstood the test of multiple extreme cold wave weather events.