The hydropower stations in my impression are quite eye-catching, as their grandeur makes it difficult to escape people’s sight. However, in the boundless Greater Khingan and fertile forests, it is hard to imagine how a hydropower station with a sense of mystery will be hidden in the wild forest. Perhaps due to its unique and hidden location, this “northernmost hydropower station in China” has been known for a long time like a legend.
On the 100km road from Huma County to the south, nothing is more common than the mountain forest scenery in the Greater Khingan forest area. The change of seasons turns to golden in autumn, but there is no trace of hydropower stations on the road. When we arrived at Kuanhe Village, with guidance, we found the “landmark” of the unknown hydropower station.
Despite being a niche, the northernmost hydroelectric power station in China, although hidden in the fertile fields of Xing’an due to its location on Taoyuan Peak, was once a sensation due to its remoteness and tranquility.
If everything requires favorable timing and location, then the Taoyuanfeng Hydropower Station has already taken advantage of the advantages of location. With the help of the continuous high mountains of Wuhua Mountain and the abundant and rapid water flow of the famous tributary of Heilongjiang, the Kuanhe River, it is less than 10 kilometers away from the border river between China and Russia, Heilongjiang, and is also close to the narrowest section of the world’s largest bay, the “Dulikou”, which is also 20 kilometers away, The seemingly unknown hydroelectric power station is hidden in the mountains but leverages all the natural advantages of the surrounding area.
As the “soul” of hydropower stations, the Kuanhe River provides the most important power to generate electricity by borrowing water. As a primary tributary of Heilongjiang, Kuan River originates from a 624.8 meter high mountain area in the river boundary mountains of Huma County. The water flows through northern Huma County and Sanka Township, and flows into Heilongjiang at a distance of one kilometer north of Sanka Township. The Kuanhe River itself also has many tributaries, ranging in width from 5 meters to 26 meters, due to the rapid flow of water – an average flow rate of 13.1 cubic meters per second – which provides a prerequisite for the establishment of a hydropower station.
A unique observation pavilion has been built on the top of Mount Wuhua, where the hydropower station is located, overlooking the vast expanse of the entire reservoir
Back in 1991, the predecessor of this slightly mysterious Taoyuanfeng Hydropower Station had a very contemporary name – Tuanjie Hydropower Station in Huma County. At the beginning of the construction of hydropower stations, the idea was to focus on power generation, while also taking into account the comprehensive utilization of flood control, fish farming, and other large-scale water conservancy and hydropower hub projects.
The control basin area of the reservoir is 1062 square kilometers, with a total storage capacity of 145 million cubic meters. The main dam crest is 229.20 meters high, the wave wall crest is 230.40 meters high, the main dam crest is 266 meters long, the auxiliary dam crest is 370 meters long, and the installed capacity of the power station is 3 X 3500 kilowatts. The engineering design flood standard is once every 200 years.
However, since the official start of construction on December 18, 1992, due to financial issues, there were several ups and downs in the construction process. Finally, on July 18, 2002, after ten years, the trial operation and power generation were successful, filling the gap of no hydropower generation in northern China. So far, this northernmost hydropower station hidden in the fertile Greater Khingan has “dominated” the northernmost part of China.
With the construction of a flat cement road surface now, the footsteps easily reached halfway up the mountain. The high platform of the dam, hidden by the high mountains, finally lifted the veil of dense forest cover and stood out in front of them. Looking around, he unexpectedly stood on top of the dam and turned around. A factory building was hidden among the trees on the ground, which seemed to be on a low-lying ground but corresponded to the spillway of the dam. From the remaining supporting buildings, one can imagine the grand scale of this place.
Approaching the dam, although not as good as the “high gorge leading out of Pinghu” of the Three Gorges, it is still difficult to conceal its magnificent scenery of “high mountains leading out of Pinghu”. The surrounding Wuhua Mountain has long been covered in layers of forest under the autumn wind blowing Buddha, transforming the mountain range into various colors. These colorful blocks of color fall into view and are also shared with the wide water surface of the dam, allowing these colorful autumn scenery to be reflected on the water surface, forming a visual folding of the scenery, stretching out a perfect water surface picture.
The former builders carved mountains and roads, creating a perfect alpine lake together with the Five Flower Mountain and the dam. Although it was artificial, it was truly like a natural creation. Near the mountain near the dam, traces of excavation can still be seen, and the lake in front of it also has a large bay of peaceful water that still quietly “lies” here due to the accumulation of the wide river water bestowed by nature.
Not only is it smooth and unobstructed, but under this clear water surface, there are also numerous reservoir fish swimming freely. As the “best partner” for water conservation, the reservoir fish in the reservoir can not only purify the water source, but also provide the local people with extremely delicious fresh fish meat. Along a narrow stone step beside the dam, a scale measuring the height of the water level was set up from top to bottom, which was once a “dedicated working passage” for detecting water level. At this time, it became a shortcut for local people to descend to the ice surface of the reservoir in winter. By digging ice holes on the ice surface, fish with protruding heads can bite the hook, making it a rare “delicious bite” in winter.
Strolling along the dam embankment, the dam creates a stunning visual curve for the lake and its view. The warm autumn sun is no longer dazzling and bright as summer, projecting a warm orange yellow onto the lake. Under the gentle breeze, soft orange ripples create shallow ripples. While admiring the slightly undulating water surface, I accidentally discovered a unique observation pavilion on the opposite Wuhua Mountain, roughly estimated to be the location of the top of the mountain with the best view.
Halfway down the mountainside, another path was opened to continue the mountain patrol. Due to the lush summer forests, the red pavilion, which had previously been very prominent, was now covered in the dense forest and difficult to find. With the guidance of the locals, a “secret signal” was discovered – in the mountain forest where we were searching for our way, there was a large dense corn field on the left side of the undulating dirt road, Follow the corn fields and find a simple path paved with top-secret red bricks, leading to this mysterious mountaintop red pavilion.
Quickly enter the pavilion, and in an instant, the magnificent smoke and vastness of the reservoir are revealed, surrounded by endless fertile fields and dense forests. Walking up the wooden ladder to the second floor of the pavilion, the view becomes even wider. Autumn sunlight projects onto the water surface, presenting varying shades of blue. It is calm and not surprising, and is accompanied by the mountains and forests on both sides. The grandeur and grandeur of the lake surface are difficult to fully capture in a moment.
Suddenly, a silver light appeared in the water under the setting sun, and the local people said that the fish flocked together in the warm sunshine, actively jumping out of the water. The silver light shone brightly with the flicker of fish scales, and in the silence, only the faint sound of autumn wind blowing through the trees on both sides was heard.
Post time: Jul-05-2023
