Approaches

Check Dam [China]

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  • Update:
  • Compiler:
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approaches_2397 - China

Completeness: 86%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Department of Resources and Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University (Department of Resources and Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University) - China

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

Check Dam
technologies

Check Dam [China]

Check dam refers to dam that constructed in the gullies or river ways and the height of the dam is often lower than 5m.

  • Compiler: Haiyan WEI

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Check dam is a kind of sediment storage dam of 5m below and is built in channels to control the down cutting of channel bed.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Xifeng county is one of the key areas of soil erosion control in China. In order to reduce the local soil erosion, and also to bring certain economic benefits to local residents, the Ministry of Water Resources is in charge of check dam construction activities.
Check dam is widely used in controlling soil erosion. The training is a main approach to promotion of the check dam technology. It is necessary to mobilize local people to participate in construction, while providing to them some cash subsidies. In such a way local people can get economic benefits, and strengthen their awareness and
knowledge of soil and water conservation.

Methods: Main objectives: (1) Elevating erosion basis of channel bed to prevent the channel down cutting and channel bank expansion, and decrease channel gradient. (2) Storing silt and reducing the amount of sediment, transported into the rivers. (3) Decreasing channel flow rates and reducing the flood risk of the lower reaches. (4) Debris flow control by use of strong permanent check dams. (5) Making channel silted to form sediment-covered terraces for future use.

Stages of implementation: Implemetation procedure: (1) site selection and design; (2) material preparation, labor recruitment and temporary road buliding; (3) main project construction.

Other important information: The construction cost of check dam is determined by project quality requirements, difficulty of construction, work size, construction technology, and some other factors. Regional factors have also an important impact. Therefore, the investment is mainly made by government with local supporting funds. Check dam construction is often
associated with plant cultivation, aquaculture design and other measures to make comprehensive use of sediment retention and water storage. It can increase agricultural productivity and farmers’ income in addition to improve local environment.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

China

Region/ State/ Province:

Shanxi, Beijing

Further specification of location:

Xifeng

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

1960

2.7 Type of Approach

  • traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused on SLM only

1) Fixation and raise of erosion basis, preventing down cutting of channel and channel bank expansion. 2) Making channel silted to form sediment-covered terraces for farming. 3) Decreasing channel gradient and flow rates and reducing the flood risk of the lower reaches.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: 1) Serious debris flow which causes tremendous economic loss and threats to the residents safety. 2) Serious soil erosion, especially down cutting and expansion of gully. 3) Poor local economy, lack of funds and technology for soil erosion control.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • hindering

Unawareness of soil and conservation knowledge.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Strengthening education and training.

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • hindering

More investment needed for mortar stone check dam.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Government and company investment to develop eco-industry.

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • hindering

The existing land ownership, land use rights / water rights hindered a little the approach implementation The state has ownership of the land resources, land users can only lease the land for a period of time, they worry about their land would be transferred to others.

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • hindering

Check dam design and construction need qualified technicians.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Professionals and training.

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Working land users were mainly men (In 1960s and 1970s, the SWC activities mainly distributed and administrated to farmers to do in leisure time(winter), and grouped to build check dams, terraces, etc

Existing groups of land users;

Those who live in gully areas and have less flat crop land provide their advices and requirement to the government and decision makers.

  • national government (planners, decision-makers)
3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation external support Mainly:public meetings; partly: workshops/seminars; Series of site meetings to explain the SWC to the land users.
planning external support Mainly: public meetings; partly: workshops/seminars
implementation interactive casual labour
monitoring/ evaluation interactive Mainly: interviews/questionnaires; partly: reporting;
Research self-mobilization on-station

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • politicians/ leaders
Explain:

consultative.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by by politicians / leaders. directive (top-down).

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
  • extensionists/trainers, politicians/decision makers
Form of training:
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • public meetings
  • courses
Subjects covered:

The approach provide the training about the technology, such as check dam dimension and materials etc.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • on land users' fields
Describe/ comments:

The Basic Farmland Construction; Key elements: Government plan, design, distribute, Farmers implement; 1) Advisory service was carried out through: government's existing extension system 2) Advisory service was carried out through: government's existing extension system; Extension staff: mainly government employees 3) Target groups for extension: land users; Activities: Field visit and demonstration

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; At each government level, there is a SWC division which is in charge of SWC activities including extension.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • yes, moderately
Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:
  • local
Specify type of support:
  • financial
  • capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: debris flow frequency,speed,volume, time and damage

technical aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: damage degree

socio-cultural aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: accredited attitude for debris flow control and part icipation in check dam building.

economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: control area

area treated aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: science and rationality of Management

no. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: None

management of Approach aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: None

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Improving the construction method so as to make the check dams much durable.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:
  • economics / marketing
  • ecology
  • technology
Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Manual and criteria for standardization design and construction.

Research was carried out both on station and on-farm

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • 100,000-1,000,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (national): 90.0%; local community / land user(s) (-): 10.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • equipment
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
machinery fully financed
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • paid in cash
Comments:

Before 1970s, the SWC activities were obligation, but after that some subsidies were provided by government.

Labour can also be voluntarely or rewarded with other material support

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Yes

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, etc.):

Interest rate charged: 2.0%

Interest was lower than market rate.

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Harvesting runoff in the rainy season and making 'deposited flat land'.

Did the Approach improve issues of land tenure/ user rights that hindered implementation of SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The SWC activities were organized to implement by local communities which can properly deal with the relationship. The problem is likely to be overcome in the near future. The SWC applied area can be contracted for a long time between land ownership and users.

Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The method will help to control debris flow; the check dam is widely used

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • yes

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Mitigating damage caused by debris flow and floods (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Making planning and design on watershed management)
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Erosion control to decrease sediment (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Check dams building.)
More effective use of rainfall resources (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Develop compound management with cultivation and aquaculture.)
Increasing farmer’s income (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Completing irrigation facility and establishing economic forest)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
After abolition of the compulsory labor and accumulative labor service, the enthusiasm and willingness of farmers to participation is lowered Some measures shoule be taken by government at all levels to stimulte and encourage farmers to participate in the construction work
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Large investment. Multi-level investment system, which includes national investment with local support, labor input by farmers, and use of foreign and social funds.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Special Planning of Soil and Water Conservation in Xinzhou Region , Shanxi Province (1986-2000)

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

The application of the Check dam with willow in controlling gully erosion.Tu xingwen. Soil and water conservation in China, 1986.

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

How to design the dry masonry dam in the Hanjiachuan watershed. Tianyuzhu, Wangzuliang. Beijing. Water conservation in Beijing, 2000.3

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Consideration about the check dam design and application. Liu shunzong. Soil and water conservation in China, 1990.6

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Resource and Environmental Department of the Beijing Normal Univ.

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