Relative Contribution of the Xiaolangdi Dam to Runoff Changes in the Lower Yellow River

Qinghe Zhao, Shengyan Ding, Xiaoyu Ji, Zhendong Hong, Mengwen Lu and Peng Wang
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Qinghe Zhao: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Shengyan Ding: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Xiaoyu Ji: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Zhendong Hong: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Mengwen Lu: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Peng Wang: Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou 450016, China

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: Human activities are increasingly recognized as having a critical influence on hydrological processes under the warming of the climate, particularly for dam-regulated rivers. To ensure the sustainable management of water resources, it is important to evaluate how dam construction may affect surface runoff. In this study, using Mann–Kendall tests, the double mass curve method, and the Budyko-based elasticity method, the effects of climate change and human activities on annual and seasonal runoff were quantified for the Yellow River basin from 1961–2018; additionally, effects on runoff were assessed after the construction of the Xiaolangdi Dam (XLD, started operation in 2001) on the Yellow River. Both annual and seasonal runoff decreased over time ( p < 0.01), due to the combined effects of climate change and human activities. Abrupt changes in annual, flood season, and non-flood season runoff occurred in 1986, 1989, and 1986, respectively. However, no abrupt changes were seen after the construction of the XLD. Human activities accounted for much of the reduction in runoff, approximately 75–72% annually, 81–86% for the flood season, and 86–90% for the non-flood season. Climate change approximately accounted for the remainder: 18–25% (annually), 14–19% (flood season), and 10–14% (non-flood season). The XLD construction mitigated runoff increases induced by heightened precipitation and reduced potential evapotranspiration during the post-dam period; the XLD accounted for approximately 52% of the runoff reduction both annually and in the non-flood season, and accounted for approximately ?32% of the runoff increase in the flood season. In conclusion, this study provides a basic understanding of how dam construction contributes to runoff changes in the context of climate change; this information will be beneficial for the sustainable management of water resources in regulated rivers.

Keywords: runoff changes; climate change; human activities; dam construction; the lower Yellow River (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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