According to the approved South North Water Transfer Project Comprehensive Plan, the project aims to link the Yangtze, Huai, Hai and Yellow Rivers in a “four horizontals, three verticals” arrangement to alleviate water shortage in north China. Initial plans called for the project to be completed in three routes over time, according to the severity of water shortages in the north and to the level of economic development of the country (Magee). Currently, eastern and central route projects have begun with different technical approaches.