Chinese scientists find that some flood control projects along the Yangtze River may have counterproductive effects

Foreign Media: Chinese scientists have found that some flood control projects along the Yangtze River may be counterproductive.

The research team reconstructed 500 years of Yangtze River flood changes since 1500 using lake sediments, historical documents, and climate reanalysis data. They discovered that flood frequency was highest during the Little Ice Age (1500–1850), and human interventions—particularly dike construction and lake reclamation—did not reduce flood risks driven by climate but instead amplified flood severity: dikes increased peak discharge of a century-scale flood by 18%, while lake reclamation increased it by 8%.

The study indicates that engineering measures such as narrowing river channels and disrupting natural defenses may worsen flood impacts, a finding that could prompt a global reevaluation of flood control strategies.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872969899868224/

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