The sediment loads of major Chinese rivers have been decreasing over the years due to factors like dam construction, soil and water conservation, agricultural practices, sand mining, and climate change. For example, the Yangtze River's sediment load has decreased because of reservoir construction, while the Yellow River's load has dropped due to conservation programs. Catchment disturbance, agricultural expansion, and sand mining have also played roles in reducing sediment loads in other rivers. Climate change has significantly impacted sediment loads in the Haihe River Basin. Overall, these factors have led to a significant decline in the total annual sediment load of major Chinese rivers transported to the coast.