Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on flow regime in the middle and lower Yangtze River

摘要: The Three Gorges Dam (TGD) started its regular operation in 2006, and impacts on flow regime the middle lower Yangtze River are receiving attention worldwide. Based daily river discharge data of seven gauges, changes between pre- post-TGD periods have been investigated. Water storage by TGD has found to significantly reduced mean October. At same time, decrease from Dongting Poyang lakes due climate variability also aggravated reduction discharge. According estimates, at Datong gauge during impoundment period decreased 18–40% after reservoir full-capacity operations 2008, which time contributed nearly 8–18% this reduction. By contrast, water release increased February. Meanwhile, changed magnitude extreme flows, leading increase annual minimum flows maximum flows. Close needs be given possible consequences TGD-induced complex river–lake ecosystem downstream sections future.