Core Insights - The Yellow River's flood and drought management during the 2025 flood season has been successfully concluded, with the ability to handle 94 instances of flood warnings [1] - The flood season exhibited significant variability, with a notable drought from March to June followed by intense rainfall in July and August, and a marked increase in autumn rainfall in September and October [1] - The Yellow River Water Resources Commission (YRWC) implemented a coordinated operation of 55 water projects to manage floodwaters effectively, achieving a peak flow reduction from 6,900 cubic meters per second to 2,670 cubic meters per second, a reduction rate of 61.3% [1] Flood and Drought Management - The YRWC reported that 48 rivers experienced floods exceeding warning levels, with some tributaries recording the highest floods since data collection began [1] - A rare occurrence was noted on October 12, when the first flood of 2025 was recorded at the Tongguan hydrological station, marking the latest occurrence of a numbered flood since 1964 [1] Water Resource Management - The YRWC executed pre-flood and flood period water and sediment management, with the Sanmenxia Reservoir discharging 335 million tons of sediment and the Xiaolangdi Reservoir discharging 222 million tons [2] - A total of 624 million cubic meters of water was diverted to combat drought in the lower Yellow River, along with 15 million cubic meters for ecological replenishment in the Yellow River Delta [2] - The coordinated sediment discharge from key reservoirs in the upper and middle Yellow River reached a historical high of 130 million tons [2]

Core Viewpoint - The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China emphasizes accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development to build a beautiful China [1] Group 1: Water-Sediment Relationship Management - The Yellow River's sediment management is crucial for maintaining its flow and preventing sediment accumulation, which has historically reduced reservoir capacity and raised riverbeds [2] - Since 2002, the Yellow River has conducted 31 water-sediment regulation operations, sending over 3.5 billion tons of sediment to the sea, significantly improving flood discharge and sediment transport capabilities [2][8] Group 2: Reservoir Coordination and Digital Technology - The Xiaolangdi Reservoir serves as a key component in the coordinated management of water and sediment along the Yellow River, enhancing the efficiency of sediment removal [3][4] - Digital twin technology is utilized to monitor and control water flow, with real-time adjustments made to optimize sediment flushing, exemplified by a flow rate adjustment to 2,500 cubic meters per second, three times the usual discharge [4][9] Group 3: Data-Driven Decision Making - The integration of 5.5 billion data points into a digital twin model of the Yellow River enhances predictive accuracy and operational efficiency in water-sediment management [9][11] - The model allows for the simulation of water-sediment dynamics, enabling proactive adjustments to management strategies based on real-time data [10][11] Group 4: Ecological Considerations - Research is ongoing to understand the relationship between water-sediment dynamics and aquatic life, with measures being taken to minimize ecological impacts during sediment management operations [12] - The introduction of advanced monitoring equipment aims to reveal the interactions between sediment changes and fish populations, contributing to biodiversity conservation efforts [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - Zhang Jinliang has dedicated 40 years to the protection and management of the Yellow River, leading significant water conservancy projects and contributing to the field of hydraulic engineering through innovative research and practical applications [3][24]. Group 1: Professional Achievements - Zhang Jinliang is the chief scientist at the Yellow River Survey and Planning Design Institute and has been involved in major national water conservancy projects, including the Yellow River Guxian and Jinghe Dongzhuang projects [3][24]. - He has received numerous awards, including the National Science and Technology Progress Award and various provincial honors, and has published 137 papers and authored 16 books [3][24]. - His innovative application of flow-induced vibration theory to river dynamics has solved significant mysteries in sediment transport in the Yellow River [11][19]. Group 2: Personal Journey and Philosophy - Zhang's commitment to water management was inspired by a childhood experience with flooding, leading him to pursue a career in hydraulic engineering [7][8]. - He emphasizes the importance of practical experience, stating that true knowledge comes from engaging directly with the land and the river [26][27]. - His guiding principles are encapsulated in three questions: "Do you understand? Can you do it? Are you brave enough?" which reflect his approach to tackling challenges in river management [5][6][25]. Group 3: Innovations in Water Management - Under Zhang's leadership, the first prototype experiments for water and sediment regulation on the Yellow River were conducted, significantly improving flood management capabilities [17][19]. - The introduction of artificial stratified flow techniques has enhanced sediment transport efficiency, increasing the river's flood capacity from 1,800 cubic meters per second to 5,000 cubic meters per second [19]. - Zhang has been instrumental in advancing the digital transformation of Yellow River management, establishing a digital flood control platform that supports real-time monitoring and decision-making [20][24]. Group 4: Current Projects and Future Vision - The Guxian Water Conservancy Project, characterized by complex geological conditions, is a current focus, with Zhang leading efforts to innovate in dam design and construction [20][21]. - Zhang's ongoing work aims to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the Yellow River, reflecting a commitment to future generations [21][23]. - He continues to mentor young researchers, instilling in them the values of dedication and practical engagement in the field of hydraulic engineering [26][28].

Core Viewpoint - The Xiaolangdi Water Conservancy Project serves as a critical control project for the governance, development, and protection of the Yellow River, significantly impacting its flow and sediment management [1][3]. Group 1: Project Significance - The Xiaolangdi Water Conservancy Project controls 92.3% of the Yellow River's watershed area, 91.2% of its runoff, and nearly 100% of its sediment transport, highlighting its pivotal role in the river's management [1]. - The Yellow River, known for its high sediment content, has an annual sediment transport volume of 1.6 billion tons, necessitating effective management strategies to address sediment accumulation [1]. Group 2: Operational Achievements - Since 2002, the Xiaolangdi Water Conservancy Project has completed 30 sediment and water regulation operations, increasing the downstream riverbed's flow capacity from less than 1,800 cubic meters per second to 5,000 cubic meters per second [3]. - The average riverbed incision in the main channel downstream has reached 3.1 meters, ensuring flood safety and promoting a harmonious interaction between environmental and water conservancy engineering [3]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The project has accelerated its digital transformation, establishing a digital twin platform in 2023, which integrates water, sediment, and electricity management for unified control [3][4]. - The use of advanced monitoring technologies, including radar, drones, and intelligent monitoring systems, enhances real-time oversight and intelligent scheduling of reservoir operations [4]. Group 4: Future Outlook - With ongoing technological advancements, the Xiaolangdi Water Conservancy Project is expected to continue its role as a "stabilizing force" for the long-term safety of the Yellow River and the sustainable development of the surrounding economy and society [4].

Core Viewpoint - The ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin has become a significant national strategy, with ongoing efforts to enhance water quality and promote sustainable development in the region [2][3]. Group 1: Ecological Protection and Development - The Yellow River's water quality has shown steady improvement, with Shandong Province compensating Henan Province with 62.07 million yuan for ecological protection in 2024 [3]. - Since 2019, Henan has addressed 14,000 "four chaos" issues related to the Yellow River, with 6.45 million acres of afforestation and 27,800 acres of wetland restoration completed [5]. - The water quality of the Yellow River in Henan has consistently reached Class II since 2020, with significant improvements in soil quality [6]. Group 2: Water Management and Safety - The water flow from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir was reduced to 600 cubic meters per second, marking the end of the Yellow River's water and sediment regulation for 2025 [7]. - Since the first water and sediment regulation in 2002, the main channel of the Yellow River has deepened by an average of 3.1 meters, with the minimum flow capacity increasing from 1,800 cubic meters per second to approximately 5,000 cubic meters per second [8]. - The flood control system in Henan has been enhanced, with major water conservancy projects and a comprehensive flood control engineering system in place [9]. Group 3: Cultural Heritage and Tourism - The newly opened Han-Wei Luoyang Ancient City Ruins Museum showcases over 1,300 cultural relics representing Yellow River culture, highlighting the region's commitment to cultural preservation [10]. - The Yellow River cultural tourism belt has seen significant visitor numbers, with 6.45 million tourists and 37.11 billion yuan in tourism revenue during the "May Day" holiday, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4.6% and 4.8% respectively [10]. Group 4: Green Transformation and Economic Development - Henan Province has initiated a "waste-free city" construction program across the Yellow River basin, with several cities included in the national list for the 14th Five-Year Plan [11]. - The province has implemented ultra-low emissions modifications in key industries and achieved high proportions of new energy vehicles in public transport [11]. - By 2024, energy consumption per ten thousand yuan of industrial added value and water usage per ten thousand yuan of GDP in Henan are expected to decrease by 23.5% and 23.1% compared to 2019 [12].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the implementation and impact of the "water-sand regulation" theory on the Yellow River, highlighting its significance in managing sediment and improving flood control capabilities. Group 1: Water-Sand Regulation Implementation - On June 28, the Xiaolangdi Water Control Project increased its water and sediment discharge to 4,600 cubic meters per second, marking the seventh day of its operation [2] - As of June 29, the total water discharged from Xiaolangdi exceeded 1.8 billion cubic meters [2] - The project utilizes a digital twin platform for dynamic analysis and scientific scheduling to ensure effective water-sand regulation [2] Group 2: Historical Context and Technological Innovations - Since 2002, the Yellow River Water Resources Commission has pioneered the "water-sand regulation" theory, conducting multiple tests and operational runs to manage sediment effectively [3] - The cumulative sediment cleaning in the downstream riverbed has exceeded 2.1 billion cubic meters, significantly improving flood capacity from below 2,000 cubic meters per second to over 5,000 cubic meters per second [3] - The establishment of the world's first mathematical model for water-sand regulation has enabled precise calculations for sediment transport [3] Group 3: Environmental and Ecological Benefits - The regulation efforts have provided 1.46 billion cubic meters of ecological water to the river delta, supporting wetland restoration and biodiversity [4] - The integration of traditional wisdom with modern technology in water-sand regulation has been recognized with a national science and technology progress award, showcasing its potential as a model for global river management [4]