2018 Ecological Operation Test of Three Gorges Reservoir Officially Started

Under the order of the Yangtze River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, the Three Gorges Reservoir officially kicked off its 2018 ecological operation test, the 11th one so far, to promote the spawning of the four species of Chinese carp on May 19.
   
The spawning of the four fish species is subject to two conditions: appropriate water temperature and water rising process. At present, the water temperature in the monitored downstream river section (from Yichang to Jianli) has reached the appropriate level of about 20 degree Celsius. As forecasted by the meteorological and hydrological department, there will be a heavy rainfall process from the west to the east along the Yangtze River in the near future, which will lead to a significant water rise in the Three Gorges Reservoir. Therefore, the two conditions will be in place for the ecological operation test.
　　
CTG drafted the 2018 Ecological Operation Test Plan for Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba and Three Gorges Reservoir at the beginning of the year and submitted it to the Yangtze River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters for review. Based on the real-time water and rainfall situation, the detailed operation plan is made as follows: on May 19, the average outflow of Three Gorges Reservoir is controlled at a rate of 14,000 m3/s; from May 20 to May 25, the daily outflow is increased by 1,100 m3/s a day, lasting for 6 days. During the ecological operation period, monitoring activities for the early-stage fish situation, breeding population as well as hydrological and environmental factors will be carried out at four sections, namely Yidu, Zhijiang, Shashi and Jianli. The effect of the ecological operation will be evaluated through the analysis of the breeding time, place, scale and the hydrological conditions at the reproduction period of the four fish species.？

A total of ten ecological operation tests have been carried out in the Three Gorges Reservoir for seven consecutive years since 2011. They have created favorable conditions for the spawning and reproduction of the four major breeds of Chinese carp through the “artificial flood peak”, achieving significant effect of proliferation. In the later stage, more tests will be carried out in the Three Gorges Reservoir separately or jointly with Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba Reservoirs in due course considering the incoming water conditions and the receding plan.