The First Weir: Historical records hold that “300 li north of Baocheng County is Tiezhuang Weir, made of cypress wood. The weir was built for water control, i.e. guiding water to irrigate lands and diverting flood waters. Unfortunately the weir was deserted and the original location forgotten.” But when building the Baohui Dam in 1940, a number of timber piles were found down at the base of the dam. The timber piles were mainly of cypress, measuring meters long and laid in order with stone structures. These structures happened to fall in line with the design of the original Shanhe Weir. Experts have confirmed that these are remnants of the First Weir.
The Second Weir: Historical records from the Qing Dynasty hold that “the Second Weir is the main part of the Shanhe Weir, measuring 360 steps with willow trees on its banks. Thus, the weir is also known as Willow Weir.” Shaanxi Water Resources show that “the weir, located in the east of Baocheng County, measures 320 meters with timber piles and gravel in its base.”
The Weir guided the water of Baohe River to Puzhen County. The channel zigzagged 35 kilometers into the east with 60 minor channels irrigating 15,000 mu around the weir.
The Third Weir: The Third Weir is 1069 meters east of the Second Weir. The channel is fewer than 5 kilometers long and irrigated 15,000 mu of fields in 1941.
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