Yellow River Main-Channel Shrinking Due to Irrigation and Sediment Factors
The main channel of the lower Yellow River has been shrinking since 1986 due to factors like irrigation, geometry patterns, and sediment floods. Deposition in the Gaocun-Lijin reaches mostly occurs in non-flood seasons. The drying-up in the 90s increased deposition in the Gaocun-Aishan reaches. To reduce deposition, controlling discharge and sediment concentration is crucial. Increasing sediment delivery from the Xiaolangdi reservoir can help stop erosion in the lower Yellow River.