Linking Three Gorges Dam and downstream hydrological regimes along the Yangtze River, China

The magnitude of anthropogenic influence, especially dam regulation, on hydrological system is of scientific and practical value for large river management. As the largest dam in the world by far, Three Gorges Dam (TGD) is expected to be a strong evidence on dam impacts on downstream hydrological regime. In this study, statistical methods are performed on the pre- and post-TGD daily hydrological data at Yichang, Hankou, and Datong stations to detect the daily, monthly, yearly, and spatial fluctuations in river hydrology along the Yangtze River during the period of 2000–2013. It is found that TGD makes a significant hydrological variation along the Yangtze River following the dam operation since 2003. Specifically, the daily discharge and water level are gathered to normal event ranges with less extreme events than before 2003. Both maximum and minimum daily water levels at the study stations have decreased due to TGD-induced riverbed incision. The operation of TGD shifts the maximum monthly discharge and water level from August to July at Yichang station. The significance of TGD effect on discharge and water level relationship presents spatial variation. The rating curves at upstream reach experience the most significant effects with a substantial upward shift, while those at lower reach only suggest slight modification. Of the potential drivers considered in this study, dam regulation is responsible for the changes in downstream river hydrology. Moreover, the tributary and adjoining riparian lakes of the Yangtze River contribute to weaken the effect of TGD on downstream hydrological behavior.