A major artificial distributary on the left bank of the Tamsui, the Erchong Floodway, was completed in 1984 as part of a flood control scheme for the Taipei Basin. The flood control plan for Greater Taipei dated back to 1959, and by 1987, dykes had been built along the banks of the Tamsui.[2]
Pollution
Aerial panorama of Taipei's west from the perspective of Tamsui River.
The Tamsui River is heavily polluted by both raw sewage and industrial pollution from illegal industry. Clean up and natural river restoration is on the agenda of the Taipei City Government, Executive Yuan and several citizen organizations.[3][4] Through the 1970s, the river was clean and could support ship traffic and fishing.[5][6][7] By the 1980s, the Tamsui was polluted and was dominated by tilapia.[8] Governmental efforts to clean up the Tamsui include "The Recovery Project of the Tamsui River Watershed Area" implemented in 1987 by the Environmental Protection Administration, at the time a division of the Department of Health.[7][9] This effort was finally undertaken as a result of massive public pressure. The first goal set was to have the river no longer smell in the summer. Water quality improved significantly however efforts to improve water quality were hampered by the numerous residences whose sewage emptied straight into the river.[10] Cleanup efforts continue to the present day, and include linking the watershed's residents to a shared sewer system.[11]
Fauna
Scientists conducting research on what they believed to be Meretrix lusoria in the Tamsui River sent samples for genetic analysis and discovered that they were a distinct species: Meretrix taiwanica.[12]
Popular culture
Due to its pollution the phrase “I’d rather jump into the Tamsui River!” was once a popular saying in Taipei.[10]
Bridges
Several famous bridges run across the river, from south to north downstream:
