Taipei City Geotechnical Engineering Office

Located along Academia Road of Jiuru Village in Nangang District the “Sifen Creek”, with its wealth of ecological resources, is the first creek that has its own blocked-out fish protection areas in Taipei City. Due to the remarkable results of fish protection, Taipei City Government has extended the creek blocking till 2016 to sustain the natural ecological restoration.    

Xie Jian-Zhi, the chairman of Jiuru Community Development Association in the Nangang District noted that after the rectification project carried out by the Geotechnical Engineering Office of Taipei City’s Public Works Department, years of creek blocking have transformed the Sifen Creek into a sanctuary of abundant ecological resources where creatures such as fish, shrimps, birds and frogs are commonly found. In addition, fireflies appear in the quiet nights in areas free from light pollution, which is a precious sight for many life-long city dwellers.

According to Director Huang Li-Yuan of the Geotechnical Engineering Office multiple typhoons or torrential rains caused collapses, erosion and mudslides of hillside lands upstream and midstream of the Sifen Creek. Different sections of the creek have been rectified in several phases. The application of eco-technology not only reduced flood damage, but also provided a recreational space for citizens to play in the water and enjoy the natural scenery.

Huang Tian-Jin, the section chief of Geotechnical Engineering Office, said that the Sifen Creek was rectified by using the local stone materials in their original forms to create a “porous” habitat and a “deep pool and shoal” site of abundant ecological resources to support the propagation and growth of aquatic flora and fauna. As a result of the city government’s policy of “fish protection by creek blocking”, Sifen Creek has become ecologically bountiful and diverse.