Human activities in the Yellow River basin have impacted sedimentation rates. Erosion control measures and water diversion have opposite effects on sedimentation. Despite decreased sediment and river flow, channel sedimentation rate has not changed. Sedimentation decreases with less sediment input but increases with reduced river flow. Erosion control measures have reduced sediment supply, but water resource development has increased sedimentation. Balancing these effects has kept overall sedimentation in the lower Yellow River constant. Overusing river water may prevent sediment reduction despite erosion control efforts.