Comprehensive Management of the Above-Ground River in the Lower Yellow River Below Taohuayu Through Reservoir Capacity Zoning

Abstract

The river section below Taohuayu in the Yellow River is a typical above-ground suspended river. A prolonged imbalance between water and sediment, combined with ongoing sediment deposition, has led to a steady rise in the riverbed and a persistent decline in flood discharge and sediment transport capacity, posing a direct threat to flood-control safety and ecological health in the basin. Based on the formation mechanisms of the above-ground river in the lower Yellow River and relevant water-sediment data, this paper reviews the governance outcomes achieved through the application of reservoir capacity zoning in reservoir engineering projects. The findings indicate that reservoir capacity zoning can effectively curb riverbed aggradation, enlarge the cross-section of the main channel, and improve flood conveyance conditions in the lower reaches, thereby providing technical support for the long-term management of the above-ground river in the lower Yellow River and for achieving basin-wide safety, stability, and high-quality development.