Impact of Water Projects on River Flow Regimes and Water Quality in Huai River Basin

Abstract

Research on the impact of water projects (dams or floodgates) on river hydrology and the surrounding environment is important in river basin management. However, it is a difficult scientific issue due to its complexity. Huai River Basin is a unique region in China with high densities in both population and water projects and is experiencing a serious pollution problem.

Experimental analysis of the impact of sluice regulation on water quality in the highly polluted Huai River Basin, China

“…China has the largest number of dams and sluices in the world, and most rivers are fragmented (Zhang et al 2010). The Huai River Basin, one of the largest river basins in China, has a high population density and serious water pollution problems.…”

“…(1) Analysis of aquatic organisms, water quality, water quantity, ecology, and other aspects of the water environment is conducted through field surveys (Muñoz et al 2005;Mallik and Richardson 2009;Zhao et al 2010); (2) exploration of the impacts of sluices and dams on river discharge, water quality, ecology, river structure, and other aspects of the water environment has been conducted through examination of historical data (Brandt 2000;Petts and Gurnell 2005;Gülbahar and Elhatip 2005;Kurunc et al 2006;William 2006;Braatne et al 2008); and (3) numerical simulation models, including mature hydrological models (such as the Solid and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)) coupled with water quality models, mature water quality simulation models (such as the water quality analysis simulation program (WASP)), and other numerical simulation analyses have been used (Campbell et al 2001;Newham et al 2002;Chung et al 2008;Marcé et al 2010). Specifically, mature hydrological models, coupled with water quality models, have been used to analyze the impacts of discharged sewage on downstream water quality (Hayes et al 1998;Li and Zuo 2012;Zheng et al 2012;Zhang et al 2010Zhang et al , 2011Zhang et al , 2013; mature water quality simulation models have been used to calculate and analyze water quality and other aspects of the water environment (Di Toro et al 1983;Stow et al 2003;Jae 2010;Zheng et al 2010;Lai et al 2013); and (4) mechanism experiments have been carried out. Some researchers have carried out model experiments to analyze the impacts of sluice regulation on flow regimes, migration, and pollutant transformation (Zhang et al 2012), while others have conducted field experiments to study the change laws of water and sediment contaminants under different regulation conditions Chen et al 2014).…”

Water quantity and quality optimization modeling of dams operation based on SWAT in Wenyu River Catchment, China

“…In this study, it was incorporated by the function developed by Zhang et al (2010). The water quality concentrations of dams are more sensitive to BSETLR and NSETLR.…”

“…These tools are now widely used in the integrated water resources and environment management of Hai River Basin supported by the World Bank. Based on the specific characteristics of basins in China, Zhang et al (2010) extended the water balance module of reservoir and the water quality module in the SWAT model by including dam and floodgate operation rules and chemical oxygen demand (COD) as an important water quality index. This extended model has been successfully applied to Huai River Basin.…”

Overview of Prominent Problems in Huai River Basin, China

“…The purpose of dams and floodgates in the basin is for water supply, navigation, recreation, irrigation, flood control and electricity generation. 31,32 In the wet year (1991), Hydraulic Structures were open for flood control and the impact was not observed. However, in the dry year (1999), the hydraulic structures were stored water to satisfy the demand of water need in the upper reaches.…”