Every year during typhoon season, the Wenxi River in Jiulonghu Town, Ningbo, faces immense drainage pressure due to heavy rainfall, posing a serious challenge to flood control and drainage in the surrounding areas.
This year, as Typhoon “Zeb-Indi” approached, the Shuilai Weir station in Jiulonghu Town, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, worked tirelessly to drain water, keeping the water level in the Wenxi River below 0.7 meters and maintaining a stable water level of 0.4 to 0.5 meters upstream, thus effectively preventing flooding. These achievements were made possible thanks to the upgrade and renovation project of the Shuilai Weir station.
Case Study Highlights
The traditional Shu’lai pumping station, an important part of the regional water conservancy infrastructure, originally consisted of three pump units with a total design flow rate of 20 m³/s, forming a three-gate structure. However, with the advancement of technology and the increasing demand for flood control and drainage, the upgrade and renovation project of the Shu’lai pumping station, a key national water conservancy infrastructure project, became imperative. This renovation transformed the existing three-gate structure into an integrated pumping station, adding six additional pumps and significantly increasing the flow rate by 10.2 m³/s.

Pre-Project Work
To ensure the smooth progress of the renovation project, the Kaiquan project team conducted meticulous pre-project work, including multiple site surveys and measurements. They carefully verified the accuracy of the existing site dimensions against the original blueprints, providing precise data support for the subsequent pumping station renovation and ensuring that the project could proceed smoothly based on the actual site conditions.
Renovation Process
During the renovation, Kaiquan utilized CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) flow analysis technology to ensure optimal water flow conditions for the pumps, guaranteeing their efficient operation. Simultaneously, CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) structural strength analysis was used to ensure the strength and rigidity of the gates.
Notably, the new pumping station cleverly utilized the existing gate slot design, avoiding the demolition of the original civil structure and maximizing the preservation of the existing structure’s strength. This effectively enhanced performance while maintaining structural safety and stability, demonstrating the ingenuity and scientific approach of the engineering design.
Furthermore, the project team rigorously verified the load capacity of the existing hydraulic gate operating mechanism. They ultimately decided to retain the original hydraulic mechanism and maintain the existing hydraulic power station. This ensured the smooth operation of the integrated pumping station while effectively reducing renovation costs. This demonstrates Kaiquan’s commitment to resource optimization and cost control during project implementation.

Receives Top Honor for Municipal Water Conservancy Project
The Shu Lai Weir Renovation and Upgrade Project, a key national water infrastructure project, has been awarded the “2024 Ningbo Municipal Excellent Engineering Project” title, the highest honor for water conservancy projects in Ningbo.
Project Completion
Upon completion, the Shu Lai Weir will significantly enhance the drainage capacity of the Wenxi Central Area and the Zhongda River in Jiulonghu Town, effectively improving the regional drainage infrastructure and providing a robust defense against flooding during the rainy season.
About Kaiquan Integrated Pump-Gate System
This is a new type of water conveyance and diversion system, comprising a working gate, gate operating mechanism, electrical control system, and other auxiliary components such as trash racks. It is widely used in water resource management and river regulation projects.




