TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A nine-member survey crew was airlifted into the mountains of Hualien County on Wednesday to conduct a five-day assessment of a barrier lake formed along the Wanli River, officials said.
The crew was flown to the western peak of Daanshan where members will hike approximately 3 kilometers along a ridgeline before descending into the area surrounding the barrier lake. The team is expected to complete its mission on Sunday before being airlifted out, per a press release.
According to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, the barrier lake is located in remote mountainous terrain where forest roads have been damaged by storms and heavy rainfall. Extensive roadbed erosion, landslides, and boulder-strewn riverbeds have made ground access difficult and hazardous.
The team is expected to reach the confluence of the Wanli River on Thursday. They will later continue traveling downstream to the barrier dam, where they will assess the structure's integrity and evaluate potential safety risks.
Officials will also deploy drones for aerial photography and image analysis, allowing monitoring data to be transmitted in real time. The information will provide government agencies with updated assessments to support future management of the barrier lake.
