Luoyang is located in the western part of Henan Province, China, on the southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. It is one of China's most famous ancient capitals, often referred to as the "Millennium Imperial Capital." Luoyang is one of the cities in China with the longest history of being a capital, serving as the capital for 13 different dynasties from the Xia Dynasty to the Sui and Tang periods. Due to its advantageous geographical location, Luoyang has not only been the center of Central Plains culture but also a thriving hub for politics, economics, and culture.

The history of water management in Luoyang has been deeply influenced by the Yellow River, especially as the river's floods have caused many disasters in the region. Luoyang’s water management history includes the construction of levees, the diversion of water for irrigation, and the dredging of the Yellow River. Here are some key periods in the history of water management:

Ancient Beginnings of Water Control 

Luoyang, located on the southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yellow River, has always been impacted by the river and its tributaries. As early as the Eastern Han period, Luoyang began constructing levees to prevent Yellow River floods. The rulers of the Han Dynasty recognized the importance of managing the Yellow River, and they built dikes near Luoyang to strengthen flood control.

Sui and Tang Dynasties: Grand Canal and Hydraulic Projects 

During the Sui Dynasty, the Grand Canal was constructed, with Luoyang becoming an important hub for this waterway. The hydraulic projects related to the Grand Canal not only improved Luoyang’s water transport conditions but also alleviated the Yellow River’s flooding. In the Tang Dynasty, the government further strengthened flood control measures, including dredging the river to protect Luoyang and surrounding agricultural lands, ensuring the stability of agricultural production.

Song Dynasty Water Control Measures  

By the Song Dynasty, the flooding problems of the Yellow River had worsened, and Luoyang experienced frequent water disasters. The Northern Song government built multiple levees, particularly along the riverbanks, establishing numerous flood prevention facilities to safeguard Luoyang and other cities. Additionally, Luoyang utilized the water from the Yellow River for irrigation, improving water management conditions and boosting agricultural productivity.

Ming and Qing Dynasties: Yellow River Management

The Ming and Qing Dynasties made significant efforts to manage the Yellow River, especially during the Hongwu period of the Ming and the Kangxi period of the Qing. Levees around Luoyang were repeatedly repaired, and the famous Qing Dynasty water management official, Pan Jixun, promoted the "restraining water to combat sand" method in the Yellow River basin. This approach improved the local water control efforts, alleviating the threats posed by the river's flooding. However, issues with silt accumulation in the Yellow River basin remained, and the results of these efforts were still limited. During the late Qing period, Luoyang experienced several significant Yellow River breaches, which caused devastating floods in the region.

Modern Water Management  

During the Republic of China era, the Yellow River floods continued to trouble Luoyang. The 1938 breach at the Huayuankou dike, which caused the Yellow River to flood many parts of the Central Plains, also affected Luoyang. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Yellow River management became a national priority. The levees in the Luoyang area were gradually reinforced, and modern water management facilities were constructed along the river. The comprehensive water management projects initiated in the second half of the 20th century greatly improved Luoyang's flood control capacity, providing stable water resources to support the development of local agriculture and industry.