水里頭社水路橋

August 30th, 2024

Toushe Aqueduct (頭社水路橋) is one of many relics of the ambitious Sun Moon Lake Hydroelectric Project, the largest power generating system in Asia when it began generating electricity in 1934. In subsequent years capacity expanded as additional opportunities for power generation were exploited. This particular component of the system, built in 1937, is a reinforced concrete aqueduct spanning the Dianzikeng River (電子坑溪), 4.7 meters high, 4.8 meters wide, and 60 meters long.

The gateway to the aqueduct. While it was being constructed there was a light railway line leading here with a depot just to the right of this tunnel entrance.

The size of the aqueduct is impressive! Take note of the family playing in the river below.

Its purpose is to convey tailwater from Sun Moon Lake No. 1 Power Plant (日月潭第一發電所), now named Daguan Power Plant (大觀發電廠), to Sun Moon Lake No. 2 Power Plant (日月潭第二發電所), currently the Jugong Branch of the Mingtan Power Plant (明潭發電廠鉅工分廠), on the riverside opposite central Shuili. This is accomplished via a tunnel that leads south to an outlet behind Chonggui Dam (銃櫃壩), which was completed in the same year.

Five outlets in the center of the aqueduct ensure an artificial waterfall anytime capacity overflows.

Sound engineering has allowed this structure to survive some of Taiwan’s biggest disasters.

This aqueduct has an interesting feature: five outlets near the top of the structure accommodate any overflow, as when the power plant downstream is unable to accommodate the full volume of tailwater. In these instances an artificial waterfall is created, enhancing the scenic beauty of this luscious and otherwise undeveloped valley.

Another look at the historic aqueduct in color.

What looks to be a monitoring station of some kind stands in front of the aqueduct.

It is also impressive that this nearly century-old aqueduct successfully withstood one of Taiwan’s worst disasters: the 921 Earthquake of 1999. This quake caused incredible amounts of damage to structures all across this part of the country—but this aqueduct, built to last, was not among them. It remains in use today, a testament to the quality of its construction.

Heading back to the highway. There is only one way in and out of this valley.

The view from the roadside on the way back from the aqueduct. Here you can see silt deposits in the far reaches of Mingtan Reservoir (明潭水庫).

Visiting this aqueduct is fairly easy if you have wheels; road conditions off County Road 131 are decent, and there’s enough clearance even for cars. One final note: although the official name seems to be Toushe Aqueduct, material prepared for tourists also reference Shuili Aqueduct (水里水橋) or Shuili Water-Crossing Bridge (水里過水橋).