제천 의림지(義林池)의 수리사적(水利史的) 특징과 의의

Abstract

This research reviews the irrigation and drainage history of Uirimji and its function of flood prevention in terms of its natural and geographic conditions. Given the limited literature about Uirimji available, the transitional process is omitted and historical materials are investigated to study the management methods used when Uirimji was functioning as a systematic irrigation facility in the late Chosun dynasty. The implications of Uirimji to the history of water irrigation development are summarized as follows. Firstly, Uirimji is referred to as the only mountain-valley type reservoir among ancient irrigation and drainage facilities. Its water capacity is, therefore, extraordinarily large and a variety of lake cultural activities such as palace-pavilion poetry have flourished around it, naturally integrated with the uniquely scenic environment that differentiates it from other ancient irrigation facilities. Secondly, Uirimji was mostly constructed using the wood and clay layering method(Buyeopkongbeop) in which the clay layer is especially strengthened through the firing process. This study marks the first time in which the technological aspect of the plasticity process employed in building the clay layer has been discussed. More extensive future research appears to be required on this matter. Thirdly, it is strongly suggested that the initial reason for constructing Uirimji was to prevent flooding. This was later expanded to include the irrigation facilities with the development of water paddy fields and rice transplantation. Lastly, it is recognized that the management of Uirimji at the agricultural stage of the water rice-paddy fields was a double structure consisting of an upper large reservoir and a lower small reservoir. Such a system of irrigation and drainage has a particular uniqueness that has never been reported in Korean academia. Thus the importance of Uirimji in the history of water irrigation system development should be taken as significant.