Research on environmental flow in Huai River Basin, China

Abstract

The estimation methods for environmental flow were discussed in this paper. Based on the comparative analysis of calculation methods of environmental flow, a "Huaihe Method" was proposed, which consists of the hydrological estimation of the minimum environmental flow with validation by the requirment space for fish. The minimum environmental flows of the important control sections in main stream and tributaries in the Huai River basin are estimated. The recommened minimum environmental flow has been adopted in the water resources planning, which provided reference for rational allocation of environmental flow, water resources usage, and sustainable development for the local society.