By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Two century-old irrigation works in Pingtung County have been recognized together as a 2026 civil engineering heritage site by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers.
Erfeng Canal (二峰圳) in Laiyi Township (來義鄉) and Lili River Canal (力里溪水圳) in Chunri Township (春日鄉) were designed by Japanese engineer Nobuhei Torii (鳥居信平). The society cited their distinctive method of collecting water flowing beneath riverbeds and their contribution to farming and community development on the Pingtung Plain.
Erfeng Canal was completed in 1923. The Japanese society lists Lili River Canal’s completion year as 1926. Both have since received local cultural heritage protection, the Pingtung County Cultural Affairs Department said in a Friday news release.
The society established its heritage recognition program in 2000 to encourage the preservation of historically significant civil engineering works. The county said local governments, community groups and academics had worked to preserve the two canals and document their history. Their recognition adds to that of other Taiwan waterworks previously selected by the society.
