Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on riverbed scour and siltation of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River

Yang, Yunping; Zheng, Jinhai; Zhang, Huaqing; Chai, Yuanfang; Zhu, Yude; Wang, Chenyang

doi:10.1002/esp.5332

Title: Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on riverbed scour and siltation of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River

Journal Article · 24 February 2022 · Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5332 · OSTI ID:1867952

^[1]; Zheng, Jinhai ^[2]; Zhang, Huaqing ^[3]; Chai, Yuanfang ^[4]; Zhu, Yude ^[3]; Wang, Chenyang ^[3]

Key Laboratory of Engineering Sediment Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering, Ministry of Transport Tianjin China, State Key Laboratory of Hydrology‐Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering Hohai University Nanjing China
Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development Hohai University Nanjing China
Key Laboratory of Engineering Sediment Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering, Ministry of Transport Tianjin China
State Key Laboratory of Hydrology‐Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering Hohai University Nanjing China

Abstract This study investigated the influence of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on the evolution of nearby channels in the Yangtze River (Changjiang River) system in order to better understand the environmental impact of large‐scale reservoir operations. From 2003 to 2017, the amounts of runoff and sediment transport in the Yangtze River were reduced by 3.3–14.5% and 67.8–92.7%, respectively, relative to 1955–2002 before the TGD was operational. Topographic measurements of the middle reaches (Yichang to Hukou) of the Yangtze River were analyzed from 1975 to 2017, during which time the cumulative erosion of the flood channel was 22.78 × 10 ⁸ m ³ , and the dry channel accounted for 90.3% of the erosion. Following commissioning of the TGD, the scouring intensity of the sandy gravel section near the dam initially increased then decreased, whereas the scouring intensity of sandy sections away from the dam continued to increase. Beaches on convex banks of curved sections were scoured, and deep channels on concave banks became silted. In braided sections, the braids tended to shrink, and the diversion ratio of the main branch during dry seasons reduced, resulting in frequent branch alternation. Compared to changes in the downstream river channels of other large reservoirs worldwide, scouring from the TGD is extensive. The findings of this study are significant for river channel regulation and waterway planning in the Yangtze River and worldwide.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1867952

Journal Information:: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Journal Name: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 47; ISSN 0197-9337

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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