Analysis of Sediment Distribution in a Typical Irrigation District Along the Lower Yellow River

Abstract

Sediment diverted from the Lower Yellow River is crucial for irrigation district sustainable development. As a complex problem, spatial distribution of sediment in district is related with natural geographical environment, incoming water amount and sediment concentration, methods of treatment, engineering facilities. Analysis of sediment distribution is the precondition for sediment utilization, transportation and treatment. As Bojili irrigation district for example, the paper analyzed sediment siltation characteristics in desilting branch, main canal, branch canal and field ditch with long term observed data from 1985 to 2009. Proportions of sediment siltation in different parts of irrigation system were calculated and difference of seasonal siltation in desilting branch was discussed. Besides, the paper proposed effective suggestions about reducing sediment siltation and improving transportation with long distance.