Analysis on Flow Adjustment Functions of the Three Gorges Project which Affect the Downstream Aquatic Ecosystem and Environment
三峡工程影响下游水生态环境的径流调节作用分析

As the largest water conservancy complex in the Yangtze River, the Three Gorge project has already produced far-reaching eco-environmental efficiency as well as enormous social efficiency in terms of flood control, hydropower generation and navigation at the same time over the Yangtze River Basin. Streamflow plays a key role in the fluvial ecosystem and the adjustment of the running Three Gorge on hydrological situation is a critical force on eco-environmental affects. The adjustment of the Three Gorge project on streamflow was analyzed in terms of project size, designed running mode and real dispatch. Since the project was impounded, the adjustment of streamflow under the dam was limited, and natural streamflow process was maintained except impounded session basically. It also could be found that annual discharged flow was unchanged and the effect of the Three Gorge on hydrological process downstream occurred mainly during impoundment and water supply.