A river runs dry
The Yongding River, the largest to flow through Beijing, holds the title of the city's "mother river." For centuries it shaped the landscape and culture, but by the 1980s, its flow through the capital had ceased. A combination of factors, including the construction of upstream reservoirs, over-extraction of water for urban and agricultural use, and changing climate patterns, caused the river to run dry.
For four decades, the Beijing section of the river was a parched scar on the landscape. The ecological consequences were severe. The dried riverbed became a significant source of dust for the city, and groundwater levels dropped. With no surface flow, the aquatic and riparian ecosystems collapsed. Wildlife that depended on the river vanished from the area. The river that had once been named "Ever-Fixed" by an emperor in 1698 for its newly tamed stability was, for all practical purposes, gone.
Engineering an ecosystem's return
In December 2016, authorities launched the Yongding River Comprehensive Treatment and Ecological Restoration Plan. This ambitious cross-provincial project aimed to bring the river back to life. The core of the strategy involved a massive water replenishment program using a combination of sources.
An important component is highly treated wastewater, also known as reclaimed water. Beijing planned to annually pour 75 million cubic meters of this recycled water into the riverbed. This is supplemented by water diverted from other major rivers, including the Yellow River, and supplies from the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This multi-source approach ensures a more stable flow. For example, to maintain connectivity, a minimum flow of 30 cubic meters per second is released from the Guanting Reservoir.
The results were visible relatively quickly. The Beijing section received water in 2020, and by May 2022, the entire 865-kilometer channel of the Yongding flowed uninterrupted to the sea for the first time in over two decades. The sustained flow has had a dramatic effect, raising local groundwater levels and reviving the surrounding environment. The success of the project has led to consistent, year-round flow since 2023.
The ecological response has been just as significant. The return of water has led to the return of wildlife. Bird populations, an indicator of ecosystem health, have increased. Species such as the great bustard, peregrine falcon, and black-winged kite are now sighted along the river. Other waterbirds, including little egrets, grey herons, and the reed parrotbill—sometimes called the "giant panda of birds"—have established stable populations. This revival of biodiversity signals a successful, if engineered, ecosystem recovery.