Against the backdrop of the deepening implementation of ecological protection and high-quality development strategies in the Yellow River Basin, and the frequent occurrence of extreme weather posing new challenges to the safety of the basin, a major water conservancy project that concerns the lives and property of millions of people and supports regional sustainable development has officially begun. On November 30, 2025, with the construction preparation project of Shisi Fen insurance workers breaking ground in Tokutu County, Hohhot City. This marks a crucial step for Inner Mongolia in implementing the national strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, laying a solid foundation for ensuring the long-term stability of the Yellow River.

The total investment of this project is 3.297 billion yuan, with a governance area of nearly 700 kilometers and covering 82% of the length of the Yellow River main stream in Inner Mongolia.

Systematic governance safeguards the lifeline

The Yellow River winds for 843.5 kilometers within Inner Mongolia, flowing through 7 league cities and 42 banner counties, nourishing vast coastal lands and millions of people. Its safety is directly related to the security of the national energy base, the stability of major grain producing areas, and the consolidation of ecological barriers. The governance project launched this time extends from the mouth of the Dusitu River to Mazha Township in Zhungeer Banner, covering systematic projects such as raising and thickening the main stream embankment, building new ecological slope protection, comprehensive river improvement, silt back area treatment, and renovation of buildings passing through the embankment. It reflects the transformation of governance ideas from single flood control to comprehensive safety, ecology, and development goals.

The project adheres to the principle of adapting measures to local conditions and implementing policies in sections, and designs governance plans based on the characteristics of different river sections. In the Shisi sub insurance section of Tokto County, which started construction first, the project will focus on rectifying the 805 meter sharp bend of Bali Bay - a key node in history where many dangerous situations have occurred. By taking comprehensive measures such as supplementing stone protection, reinforcing embankment foundations, and constructing emergency rescue channels, the project will completely eliminate the flood and ice prevention hazards in this section, setting a demonstration model for downstream river management.

Smart water conservancy safeguards watershed security

On the basis of traditional engineering measures, this project deeply integrates modern technology and is committed to creating a model of smart Yellow River Inner Mongolia section. Embedding intelligent monitoring devices such as water level, ice conditions, and seepage into engineering planning, and constructing a all-weather three-dimensional perception network; Based on digital twin technology, establish a three-dimensional simulation model of the river channel to achieve flood routing simulation and risk warning; Simultaneously applying green technologies such as ecological bank protection and flexible protection to enhance flood control capabilities while restoring river ecology.

Of particular note is that the engineering innovation adopts a construction model that integrates flood control and emergency rescue, ecological restoration, and cultural inheritance. In the management of dangerous construction and sections, both emergency rescue needs and reserved working areas are considered, and ecological buffer zones are designed to protect riverbank vegetation. In addition, suitable areas are planned and constructed to showcase the Yellow River culture, achieving the unity of safety benefits, ecological benefits, and social benefits.

Building a solid foundation for high-quality development

The project is expected to enter the comprehensive construction phase in 2026 and will generate significant comprehensive benefits after completion. In terms of safety, the flood control standards for key river sections can be comprehensively improved, ensuring the safety of over 20 million people, 25000 square kilometers of arable land, and key infrastructure such as Baosteel and Ordos energy bases along the coast; At the ecological level, river ecological restoration will improve the wetland ecology of 600 square kilometers along the coast, providing important habitats for migratory birds; At the economic level, a stable riverbank environment will provide a solid guarantee for the development of the "Hu Bao E Wu" urban agglomeration and the construction of the modern agricultural belt along the Yellow River.

In addition, the construction itself will create tens of thousands of job opportunities, driving the development of related industries such as building materials and equipment manufacturing. More importantly, it will work together with the construction of ecological corridors along the Yellow River, comprehensive management of soil and water conservation, and other projects to jointly build a comprehensive and functionally coordinated Yellow River protection and governance system.

To ensure the long-term effectiveness of the project, Inner Mongolia has innovatively established a transportation and management mechanism that emphasizes both construction and management and sustainable utilization. Establish a special maintenance fund during the construction phase and reserve digital upgrade interfaces; During the operation phase, the "river chief system+professional company" management model will be implemented to achieve specialized daily maintenance and standardized emergency rescue; Simultaneously establish a cross regional coordination mechanism to coordinate upstream and downstream, as well as left and right bank governance needs. Keywords: infrastructure construction, engineering construction

With the excavation of the first shovel of soil, this Yellow River control project, which carries the historical mission and the responsibility of the times, has officially set sail. It is not only a simple water conservancy construction project, but also a vivid practice of Inner Mongolia's practice of ecological civilization and serving the national strategic overall situation.Editor/Cheng Liting