On October 14, 1950, the Chinese government issued the Decision on Harnessing the Huaihe River, announcing the start of a comprehensive river harnessing project.

Taking into consideration both water conservation and flood prevention, the project included a plan for a water conservation section for irrigation and hydropower along the river's upper reaches, a water conservation and flood discharge section along the middle reaches, while opening up an outlet to the sea on the lower reaches.

Starting from May 1951, several million laborers were mobilized to dredge the old water courses and dig new ones. Ship locks, reservoirs and water storage and discharge control facilities were also built along the river.

The project was New China's first major effort to harness the Huaihe River.

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