Project Will Expose Han Riverbed

On May 5, 2007, the first weekend in May, Moses’ miracle will happen again, but this time at Han River in Seoul. For the first time in 30 years since the development of Han River was initiated in 1968, the riverbed will become visible.

30 to 40 touring traditional performers (Namsadangpae) are planning on crossing Han River, the span of which is 900 meters at its widest, on a single line. This is an event to challenge the world record for a single line crossing.

This is the main event of the “Han River Miracle Festival (tentative name),” which is to be held by the city of Seoul during the first weekend in May next year. The plan is to close the Jamsil Reservoir beneath the Jamsil Bridge to stop the inflow of water and send water out through the Shingok Reservoir beneath the Gimpo Bridge. If this is done when the water is low, it is being estimated that it will take only half a day to drain 80 percent of the water in Han River to reveal the old watercourses and sandy beaches. According to current estimates, the riverbeds of downstream areas such as Mapo or Ichon District will become visible first.

Before 1968, when development of Han River began, there were wide sand fields in Ttukseom, Dongbu Ichon-Dong, Yeouido, and Gwangnaru. In summer, people gathered to swim in the river and sand-bathe on the beaches.

However, since the sand of Han River started being used to develop Apgujeong-dong, Yeouido, and Jamsil, the sandy beaches disappeared. After the Comprehensive Han River Development Plan from 1982 to 1986, the water depth became so deep that it became impossible to see the riverbed.

A high-ranking official of the city explained the purpose of the Han River Miracle Festival, saying, “It is our intent to show the citizens of Seoul and tourists from home and abroad the old Han River with its sandy beaches.” The reason the festival is set for May is because precipitation is relatively low so it will be easier to control the water levels, and it is also conveniently adjacent to the “Hi Seoul Festival” in late April.

The city is planning on carrying on dredging operations such as removing used tires from the areas that will be drained. Some areas will become shallow enough for people to walk in, but water levels will be controlled considering the fact that the ecosystem may be destroyed if too much water is drained.

After the Comprehensive Han River Development Plan, the average depth of the 36-kilometer strip from Gimpo Bridge to Cheonho Bridge became approximately 2.5 meters and the width between 650 and 900 meters. However, due to various types of deposit in certain areas of Han River, it is being guessed that the depth of the river will vary widely.

The city has currently requested research regarding whether the old beaches are still left and how deep the river is at various points to the Seoul Development Institute, so results on the riverbeds that will become visible during the festival will be available within the year.

The city is also setting up a single line across the Han River, which is 900 meters at its widest, to attempt a world record in celebration of the festival. An order for the rope has been sent to POSCO.

An official of the city said, “The current Guinness Book world record is 200 meters for crossing the Niagara Falls in the U.S. This event of crossing Han River on a single line will be an opportunity to make Han River widely known as an international tourist attraction.”

beetlez@donga.com