Foziling Reservoir Dam

Foziling Reservoir Dam

Foziling Reservoir Dam is a patriotic education base.

Foziling Reservoir is located on the eastern source of the Pihe River, a tributary of the Huaihe River. Construction began in January 1952 and was completed in November 1954. The dam site controls a catchment area of 1,840 square kilometers, with a total storage capacity of 491 million cubic meters. It was the first major project in the early days of New China aimed at managing the Huaihe River, and is hailed as the “First Dam of New China,” the “Tallest Dam in Asia,” and the “Highest Dam in the Far East.” It holds milestone significance in the history of water conservancy and hydropower construction in the newborn republic, which was eager to rebuild. The site is deeply marked by the presence and footsteps of the first generation of Party and state leaders: when Chairman Mao Zedong inspected Anhui, he made a special trip to the provincial museum to view the model of Foziling Reservoir. Marshals Zhu De and Liu Bocheng visited the reservoir in person, showing great care for its construction and development. Here were created many firsts: the First Dam of New China, the First Reinforced Concrete Buttress Dam of New China, the First Hundred-Meter-High Dam in Anhui Province, the First Hydropower Station in the Huaihe River Basin, the First Hydroelectric Generating Unit of New China, and the First 110KV Transmission Line in Anhui Province. The area also carries rich historical legacy and cultural depth: literary and artistic figures such as Guo Moruo, Liu Haisu, Guan Shanyue, Wu Zuoren, and Chen Dengke left numerous works inspired by Foziling. There was also the “Foziling University,” which nurtured a large number of water conservancy and hydropower professionals for New China, as well as the spirit of the older generation of Huaihe River managers. In the long scroll of history, Foziling Reservoir has written glory and splendor that belong not only to itself but also to the republic. In the nearly 60 years since its completion, the reservoir has generated a total social and economic benefit of 60 billion yuan, intercepted more than 230 floods of varying scales, and played a vital role in the economic and social development of the basin and the improvement of people’s livelihoods. The reservoir boasts beautiful scenery, with nearby attractions such as the “Reclining Buddha,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Lion Rock,” and “Eagle Cave” showcasing a variety of forms.