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Abstract: In 2000 and 2003 before the closure of 3-Gorges Dam, numerous sediment samples were taken from the middle-lower Yangtze River channel to examine sediment transport processes and associated hydromorphological nature of the river. Analytical results show that the riverbeds consist mostly of medium to coarse sands and gravelly sands, and fine sand occurs locally, especially near the river coast. The results further indicate a downstream fining trend in riverbed sediment from Yichang to the river mouth, totaling about 1900 km long with 12 sediment zones (I-XII). These were identified as alternate coarse- and fine-grained sediment on the riverbed, although the zonation of I–III below Three-Gorges Dam site is weaker. The mode of sediment transport in the river is dominated by saltation (20–80%), followed by bed-load transport with 3–15%; transport by suspension is quite low. Grain-sizes associated with hydrological parameters have greater values in the Jingjiang Reaches (from Yichang to Chenglingji; unit stream power: 5–18 N m−1s−1, boundary shear stress: 14 Nm−2 and mean flow velocity: 2–3.2 ms−1), whereas the values obtained from Chenglingji downstream are considerably low (<5 N m−1s−1, 1–4 Nm−2 and <0.7–1.5 ms−1). These values, when compared with on-site measured velocity of the ADP flow column, revealed the erosive riverbed sediment transport in the Jingjiang Reaches, and the accumulative riverbed transport downstream, from Wuhan to the river coast. Hydrological parameters together with distribution of grain-sizes indicate a coarsening riverbed in the Jingjiang river, largely because damming peaked since the last half-century. This corroborates the weakening sediment zonation in the Jingjiang Reaches, which is expected to extend further downstream towards the river coast in response to the potential impact of 3-Gorges Dam in the coming decades. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper examines the characteristics of historical floods and associated monsoon precipitation in the Yangtze Catchment, with specific attention given to the middle and lower Yangtze basin. Based on in situ field observations and historical discharge, flood duration, and land-use information, etc, we propose a number of flood characteristics of the basin: 1) floods have occurred more frequently after 1950s, however, changes in discharge can only partially explain the occurrence of the floods; 2) spectral analysis on the annual mean water discharge during 1860–1985 in Hankou hydrological gauging station of the middle Yangtze River reveals 16.4-year and 2.5-year flood recurrences, which become shortened from what has been recorded in the Chinese historical literature on millennial time scale; 3) floods after 1950s tend to have higher water levels (both mean and peak) and longer duration than before, but with remarkably limited inundation area; and 4) a series of flood waves generated by monsoon precipitation in 1998, initiated from the middle Yangtze, highlights the basin-wide climate hazards with a recurrence of around 60 years. Intensifying anthropogenic activity in the last century, including deforestation, dyking, and lake–coast reclamation etc. that results directly in riverbeds aggradation and shrinkage of lake water area in the middle Yangtze basin, are the key causes for recently human-induced floods in the basin. Threatened land property in the basin reminds us to harmonize with the river and provide more space for flooding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The geological and meteorological setting of the Jianghan–Dongting lake area leads to high precipitation and siltation, but poor water discharge, thus the area is frequently flooded. In the past the river–lake relationship of the Middle Yangtze has been variable but has deteriorated recently under increasing human influence. The Jianghan Plain of the Middle Yangtze becomes a waterlogged lowland under the constant threat of flooding from the perched Jingjiang River. Due to siltation and land reclamation the Dongting Lake has lost most of its regulatory function for the river and has become increasingly vulnerable to flood disasters. The Middle Yangtze River has been undergoing siltation, resulting from a downstream decline of sediment transport capacity, resulting in the elevation of the flood level above the lowlands. Heightening of the levees has caused further siltation of the channel. The Three Gorges Reservoir will provide a buffering period of 50–80 years, during which much of the silt will be trapped in the reservoir and scouring downstream may occur. We should utilize this period to work out an overall resolution to the problem. Construction of a water and silt diversion project in the Honghu Lake and surrounding areas may resolve this problem in the dangerous Chenglingji–Wuhan Segment of the Yangtze. Widening the canals connecting the Middle Yangtze and Han Rivers may function as a discharge-dividing channel of the Yangtze, which may prove to be beneficial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examines the characteristics of sediment rating parameters recorded at various gauging stations in the Yangtze Basin in relation to their controls. Our findings indicate that the parameters are associated with river channel morphology of the selected reaches. High b-values (>1.600) and low log(a) values (<−4.000) occur in the upper course of the steep rock-confined river, characterizing high unit stream power flows. Low b-values (<0.900) and high log(a) values (>−1.000) occur in the middle and lower Yangtze River associated with meandering reaches over low gradients, and can be taken to imply aggradation in these reaches with low stream power. Higher b-values (0.900–1.600) and lower log(a)-values (−4.000 to −1.000) characterize the reaches between Yichang and Xinchang, immediately below the Three Gorges. These values indicate channel erosion and bed instability that result from changes in channel gradient from the upstream steep valley to downstream low slope flood plain settings. Differences in channel morphology accompany these changes. Confined, V-shaped valleys occur upstream and are replaced downstream by broad U-shaped channels. The middle and lower Yangtze shows an apparent increase in channel instability over the past 40 years. This inference is based on sediment rating parameters from various gauging stations that record increasing b-values against decreasing log(a)-values over that time. Analysis of the sediment load data also reveals a strong correlation between changes in sediment rating curve parameters and reduction of annual sediment budget (4.70×108 t to 3.50×108 t/year, from the 1950s to 1990s), largely due to the damming of the Yangtze and sediment load depletion through siltation in the Dongting Lake. Short-term deviations from the general trends in the sediment rating parameters are related to hydroclimatic events. Extreme low b-values and high log(a)-values signify the major flood years, while the reverse indicates drought events. When compared with rivers from other climate settings, it is evident that the wide range of values of the Yangtze rating parameters reflects the huge discharge driven by the monsoon precipitation regime of eastern China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a revision of a river-flow response model by Dust and Wohl (2012). In particular, serious confusion of the relationship between sediment transport capacity and width-to-depth ratio is clarified. As a consequence, we propose a reasonable qualitative model for understanding the complexity of river responses as illustrated in an appropriately modified form of the Lane diagram, which identifies the equilibrium condition based on the balance between channel aggradation and degradation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]