Hongcheon County Receives Governor's Commendation for Excellence in Local River Management

Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province received an institutional commendation from the Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province in recognition of its active efforts in local river management for the 2025 provincial administration and regional development.

A panoramic view of Hongcheon County Office. Provided by Hongcheon County

This award was given in recognition of the county’s significant contribution to protecting the lives and property of residents through systematic maintenance and disaster prevention achievements for local rivers.

The Construction Division of Hongcheon County has been continuously carrying out maintenance work to protect river facilities and prevent river-related disasters across 34 local rivers.

In accordance with the 'River Master Plan,' the county is promoting the creation of waterfront spaces that are safe from flooding and where culture and ecology coexist, by comprehensively considering flood control, water use, and environmental functions.

As part of these efforts, the county launched the 'Seongdongcheon-Hwadong District Local River Maintenance Project' on January 20, 2025, with a total project cost of 34.892 billion KRW. The project includes river maintenance over a total length of 8.95 km, reconstruction of three bridges, and installation of one movable weir, with completion targeted for January 19, 2028.

In addition, to prevent disasters and ensure resident safety, the county completed a maintenance project for the upstream section of the Sports Park in Seoseok-myeon, where levees were washed away by heavy summer rainfall. The project, with a total cost of 534 million KRW, involved stonework over an area of 2,336 square meters.

For the slope soil loss in the Yangdeokwoncheon water intake section in Nam-myeon Yuchi-ri, the county initiated a maintenance project in the second half of 2025 with a total cost of 423 million KRW, aiming for completion before the rainy season in the summer of 2026.

Furthermore, to improve water flow and prevent flood damage by dredging rivers and removing obstructive trees, the county completed riverbed maintenance projects for Seongsucheon, Gaeuncheon, and Oancheon in Naechon-myeon, investing 267 million KRW with 60% of the funding provided by the province.

The county also conducted ongoing field inspections of illegal structures and cultivated land within river zones, issuing guidance measures for six locations across five rivers including Guneopcheon. In three locations across three rivers including Deokchicheon, restoration to original conditions was completed, thereby improving water flow and reducing inconvenience for residents. Hongcheon County plans to further strengthen its management of local rivers following this award.

Lee Deukseon, Director of the Construction Division, stated, "With this institutional commendation for local river management, we will do our utmost to ensure systematic management not only for the 34 local rivers but also for one national river, Hongcheon River, and 292 small streams, to protect residents from natural disasters."