The study analyzed 56 years of runoff data from the Wujiang River Basin to understand how water flows in the area. The researchers found that the distribution of runoff in the river is very uneven, with peak flow usually happening in mid-July. Over the past 50 years, there hasn't been a significant change in the total amount of runoff, but the patterns differ between the upper and lower parts of the river. This information can help in planning for reservoirs in the area.