Nanwang water division system (南旺分水;Nánwàng fēnshuǐ or南旺水利樞紐;Nánwàng shuǐlìshūniǔ) is a historical system for management of the water in theGrand Canal in theShandong province inChina. Nanwang water division system is built in the area aroundNanwang inWenshang County inJining city that was the highest point of the historical canal[1][2]
EmperorYongle (r. 1402–1424) moved theMing dynasty capital fromNanjing toBeijing which increased the need for traffic along the Grand Canal. The passage throughShandong Peninsula (Huitong Canal) was only to be crossed with great difficulties because the water level was often not high enough and sluices were necessary and passage throughsluices. Therefore at the year 1411[1] the emperor orderedSong Li to renovate the problematic section.[3]
With help from the local expertBai Ying[3] a water diversion system which included dozens of sluice gates was built.[1] When the system was completed it could adjust the water flow of the canal so the needed transports could be controlled.[1]
TheDaicun Dam (戴村壩) diverted water via the "Lesser Wen River" to thereservoirs at Nanwang.[4] In the middle go the 15th century additional sluices was built north and south of Nanwang andlevees was erected around the reservoirs.[4] The complete project was carried out in several different phases during the period 1411 to 1505.[4]
Today the Nanwang water division system is anarchaeological site and the excavations began in 2008 when 4,000 square meters were excavated.[2]