The Huanghe (Yellow) River: Recent changes and its countermeasures

Abstract

Since the 1960s a series of large reservoirs have been built in the upper and middle reaches of the Huanghe River. Changes caused by these reservoirs include a decrease in flood discharge and sediment load to the lower reaches and conversely, an increase of the silt concentration in the river water. This accumulation of silt in the river channel is a serious problem in the lower Huanghe River and has caused abnormal and distorted flow courses in the river bed. These effects include: shrinkage of the river channel, frequent dewatering (i.e., zero flow) in the river-mouth area, and hanging rivers (i.e., a river channel elevated above its floodplain). The zero-flow portion of the river has gradually extended upstream for nearly the entire 700 km of the lower reach. Utilization of the floodplains for agriculture and temporary villages has become a major problem. To counter these changes and situations, new measures, new methodology, and new thinking must be adapted incorporating results from the recent works on sediment transport and accumulation. Water conservancy works (dams, pumping stations, siphon-intakes, etc.) are typically used for adjustment of river water and sediment discharges and for irrigation and hydro-power generation. Recently, they are also being used to conduct tests using the reservoir water/sediment mix to flush out sediments deposited in the channel bed and transport the sediment to places where it is needed or into the Bohai Sea. Additionally, the future of the new deltaic sub-lobe in the Bohai Sea (developed in 1996) and the present estuary needs to be considered with respect to future development.