Core Points - The Yellow River's water diversion and sediment flushing officially commenced on June 23, 2023, with a discharge rate reaching 2,600 cubic meters per second, marking the start of the 2025 Yellow River water diversion and sediment flushing project [2] - The project aims to regulate the water-sediment relationship by artificially creating high flow rates to flush sediment from reservoirs and downstream river channels into the sea [2] - The operation will continue until approximately July 9, 2023, with a maximum discharge flow expected to reach 4,600 cubic meters per second, and over 100 million tons of sediment is anticipated to be flushed out of the reservoir [3] Water Management and Infrastructure - The Xiaolangdi Water Control Project is crucial for flood control and sediment regulation in the Yellow River basin, controlling 91.2% of the river's runoff and nearly 100% of its sediment transport [2] - The project has conducted 29 sediment flushing operations, cumulatively discharging over 2.5 billion tons of sediment, which has significantly reduced the riverbed elevation in the downstream channel by an average of 3.1 meters [3] - The maximum flood capacity of the downstream channel has increased from less than 1,800 cubic meters per second to approximately 5,000 cubic meters per second due to these operations [3] Safety and Monitoring - The management center of the Xiaolangdi Water Control Project will enhance safety monitoring and inspections during the sediment flushing process, ensuring the stable operation of the facility [3] - The project will utilize advanced monitoring systems, including a digital twin system and integrated monitoring technologies, to optimize the operation of sluice gates and enhance sediment reduction efforts [3] - The Ministry of Water Resources has outlined comprehensive arrangements for water management, hydrological monitoring, and disaster prevention during the sediment flushing period [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Yellow River's water and sediment regulation officially commenced on June 23, with an expected total sediment discharge of 100 million tons by July 9, aimed at addressing sediment accumulation issues in the river [1][3]. Group 1: Water and Sediment Regulation Process - The Yellow River has an average annual sediment transport of 1.6 billion tons, making it the river with the highest sediment content in the world [4][6]. - The regulation process involves artificially creating flood peaks to flush sediment downstream, utilizing reservoir capacity to manage water flow [6][8]. - The current phase started on June 23, focusing on discharging large volumes of clear water to maintain the downstream river's flow capacity [8]. Group 2: Historical Context and Achievements - Since 2002, the Yellow River has undergone 29 sediment regulation operations, resulting in a significant reduction of the riverbed by an average of 3.1 meters [10]. - The cumulative sediment transported to the sea since the initiation of these operations has reached 3.5 billion tons, enhancing the river's flood and sediment transport capacity from less than 1,800 cubic meters per second to approximately 5,000 cubic meters per second [10].