The researchers studied changes in water flow in Songzikou River during the dry season from 1960 to 2019. They found that the main water source in the dry season comes from the west branch. The water flow from the west branch increased significantly after the Three Gorges Dam operation, while the east branch remained dry due to river cutoffs. By lowering the river bed elevation, the water diversion in Songzikou could be restored to levels from the 1960s, helping to address water resource and environmental issues in the region.