Impact of hydroelectric projects on river environment: Analysis of water quality changes in Ningxia Reach of Yellow River

作     者：Sun Dongpo Lu Ruili Song Yongjun Yan Jun 

作者机构：Faculty of Water Conservancy Engineering North China University of Water Conservancy and Electric Power Zhengzhou 450011 P. R. China School of Civil Engineering and Water Conservancy Ningxia University l~nchuan 750021 P. R. China 

出 版 物：《Water Science and Engineering》 (水科学与水工程（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2008年第1卷第2期

页      面：66-75页

学科分类：083002[工学-环境工程] 0830[工学-环境科学与工程（可授工学、理学、农学学位）] 07[理学] 08[工学] 0815[工学-水利工程] 081502[工学-水力学及河流动力学] 0713[理学-生态学] 

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 50779019) 

主　　题：runoff adjustment hydroelectric project self-purification capacity fluvial process water environmental capacity 

摘      要：In this paper, the relationship between hydroelectric projects and the river environment is analyzed. Recently, the large-scale regulation of runoff by large hydroelectric projects in the Ningxia Reach of the Yellow River has altered natural runoff processes, causing an increase in the probability of low discharge and an overall adjustment of riverbed evolution and river characteristics. During low-flow years, the combined effects of these two changes can weaken the self-purification capacity and reduce the water environmental capacity of the river. This is one of the main reasons for the recent decrease of water quality in the Ningxia Reach. This research shows that it is necessary to implement river training projects to maintain stable flow paths, not only for adjusting river regimes and for flood control, but also for increasing the self-purification capacity and the water environmental capacity of the river. Methods and proposals for coordinating the operation of hydroelectric projects with the protection of the river environment are presented in the interest of promoting sustainable development.