The Three Gorges Reservoir affects the storage capacity of Lake Dongting, impacting flood control and water resources. Researchers analyzed data from 2008-2017 to show that the reservoir's operation led to changes in the lake's storage levels. With the reservoir's influence, the lake's storage capacity increased during the pre-flood period but decreased during the main-flood and post-flood seasons. The reservoir also affected the flow of water in and out of the lake, leading to significant changes in the lake's overall storage capacity throughout the year.