Author(s): Baosheng Wu; Junqian Xia
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Reservoir sedimentation; Reservoir management; Sanmenxia dam; Yellow river
Abstract: The Sanmenxia Dam, located on the lower part of the middle reach of the Yellow River in China, is notorious for its sedimentation problems. The dam was reconstructed and dam operation was changed with the hope of stopping the upstream extension of backwater sediment deposition. While we were celebrating the success of dam reconstruction and change of the operation scheme in controlling the upstream extension of sediment deposition, the riverbed elevation at Tongguan, which is an indication of the upstream extension of the delta, was rising again due to the reduction in flow runoff caused by excessive water resources development after 1986. This paper provides a review of the environmental impacts of sedimentation in the Sanmenxia Reservoir and possible sediment management alternatives.
Year: 2005