Economic Role
Although all but the southernmost reaches of the Nakdong River have ceased to serve as a major commercial waterway, the river continues to feed those dwelling near it, both directly through fishing and indirectly through irrigation. Substantial amounts of snails and catfish are taken from the waters and used in local cuisine.
Near Andong, a series of massive hydroelectric dams have been constructed, creating a small chain of artificial lakes of which Andong Lake is the largest. These lakes also support a substantial recreational industry. Bass fishing is especially popular, since the lakes have been artificially stocked with bass.
Pushing forward with his election promise, Lee Myung Bak, the current president of South Korea, aims to include the Nakdong River in a new canal project spanning the length of the country from Seoul to Busan. Encountering some controversy, ground has not yet been broken on the Grand Korean Waterway.
Read more about this topic: Nakdong River
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