Estimation of Water Environmental Capacity Considering Hydraulic Project Operation in the Xiangyang Reach of the Han River, Central China

Chen Sun,Hongjuan Wu

doi:10.4236/jwarp.2012.48073

Abstract

Using the Xiangyang Reach of the Han River as an example, this paper evaluates the changes of water environmental capacity after the implementation of Cuijiaying Hydro-junction project. The allowable pollutant loads entering the Xiangyang Reach were estimated using two-dimensional steady state water quality model with different data sets. The water environmental capacity has declined in the reservoir area of the Cuijiaying Hydro-junction project during the low-flow period; it is appearing to increase slightly in the upper and lower stream of this reservoir. However, the state of flow may turn into the state of reservoirs flow in the reservoir area, and the changes of hydrological regime may cause the water flow and the nutrient contents suitable for the occurrence of ecological environment problems.

Highlights

The Han River is the longest tributary of the Yangtze River, with a watercourse length of 1577 km and a total drainage area of 159,000 km2
Using the Xiangyang Reach of the Han River as an example, this paper evaluates the changes of water environmental capacity after the implementation of Cuijiaying Hydro-junction project
Using twodimensional steady state water quality model, we evaluated the variation of water environmental capacity considering the dam operation in this area

Summary

Introduction

The Han River is the longest tributary of the Yangtze River, with a watercourse length of 1577 km and a total drainage area of 159,000 km. The Han River Basin is one of the major agricultural production bases in China, and plays a significant role in regional economic development. Due to its plentiful water resources [1], the Basin cascade development is being implemented [2]. Changes of hydrological regime may inevitably impact the aquatic environment of the Han River, especially to the water environmental capacity. The rapid urbanization and industrialization are beginning to affect water quality in this area. From 1992 to 2005, large-scale algal blooms had taken place five times in the middle and lower reaches of the Han River because of the ecological environment degradation [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion