Assessment of Sediment Reduction Due to Upland Water and Soil Conservation Works in the Yellow River

Abstract

Practicing water and soil conservation in the Yellow River would reduce the sediment carried into the Yellow River and slow the deposition in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Investigation and study of the sediment retention effect of water conservancy and water and soil conservation has been carried out for some time. By analyzing hydrologic data, it has been verified that during the late 50’s the Jiuyuangou gully (with a drainage area of 70.1 sq. km), Nanxiaohe gully (30.6 sq. km), and Luergou gully (12.0 sq. km) retained 50–80% of sediment a short time after water and soil conservation practices were put into effect. Hydrologic data in the early 70’s shows that sediment discharge has been reduced 50% or more in rivers such as the Wuding River (30,127 sq. km), Fenhe River (38,928 sq. km.), Qinshui River (14,480 sq. km), and Dahei River (6,835 sq. km.) after initiating the practice of water conservancy and water and soil conservation.