Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River

Reservoir regulation and river training works are significant factors influencing downstream channel evolution. However, there is still a lack of systematic studies on the evolution patterns under their synergistic impacts. In particular, the adaptability of shoal training works under hydrological v...

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Main Authors: Yao Yue, Weiya Huang, Yaxin Guo, Junhong Zhang, Yunping Yang, Dongdong Zhang, Linshuang Liu, Xinxin Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Hydrology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/6/148
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author Yao Yue
Weiya Huang
Yaxin Guo
Junhong Zhang
Yunping Yang
Dongdong Zhang
Linshuang Liu
Xinxin Chen
author_facet Yao Yue
Weiya Huang
Yaxin Guo
Junhong Zhang
Yunping Yang
Dongdong Zhang
Linshuang Liu
Xinxin Chen
author_sort Yao Yue
collection DOAJ
description Reservoir regulation and river training works are significant factors influencing downstream channel evolution. However, there is still a lack of systematic studies on the evolution patterns under their synergistic impacts. In particular, the adaptability of shoal training works under hydrological variability conditions needs further investigation. The main purpose of this study is to undertake a thorough analysis of the efficacy of river training works related to shoal erosion control and to identify its underlying causes and potential mitigation strategies. By reviewing completed river training works and collecting and analyzing hydrological data of the middle Yangtze River, we developed and applied a hydro-morphological model to simulate the river evolution processes. A systematic evaluation was undertaken on the impact of training works on shoal erosion. The results indicate that the river training works can influence local hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions, thereby enhancing shoals’ resistance to erosion and decelerating shoal shrinkage. However, under altered hydrologic regimes, the effectiveness of training works wanes, thus failing to fully achieve its intended effects. Specifically, the bank protection project attenuated the intensity of scour at the head of the continent by 30% (average annual scour depth reduced from 2.1 m to 1.5 m) and increased the local stability index by 14.5% (from 0.744 to 0.852), but it is still below the critical threshold (1.024). The findings of this study are expected to provide a scientific basis for the planning and implementation of river training works in the Middle Yangtze River and serve as a reference for addressing similar issues in other regions.
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spelling doaj-art-916df515a85c44448e4fc1336f690b532025-08-20T03:24:33ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382025-06-0112614810.3390/hydrology12060148Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze RiverYao Yue0Weiya Huang1Yaxin Guo2Junhong Zhang3Yunping Yang4Dongdong Zhang5Linshuang Liu6Xinxin Chen7Key Laboratory of Resources Conversion and Pollution Control of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Resources and Environmental Science, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, ChinaKey Laboratory of Resources Conversion and Pollution Control of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Resources and Environmental Science, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaKey Laboratory of Resources Conversion and Pollution Control of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Resources and Environmental Science, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, ChinaTianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering, Tianjin 300456, ChinaBureau of Hydrology, Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan 430010, ChinaChangjiang Waterway Institute of Planning, Design & Research, Wuhan 430040, ChinaKey Laboratory of Resources Conversion and Pollution Control of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Resources and Environmental Science, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, ChinaReservoir regulation and river training works are significant factors influencing downstream channel evolution. However, there is still a lack of systematic studies on the evolution patterns under their synergistic impacts. In particular, the adaptability of shoal training works under hydrological variability conditions needs further investigation. The main purpose of this study is to undertake a thorough analysis of the efficacy of river training works related to shoal erosion control and to identify its underlying causes and potential mitigation strategies. By reviewing completed river training works and collecting and analyzing hydrological data of the middle Yangtze River, we developed and applied a hydro-morphological model to simulate the river evolution processes. A systematic evaluation was undertaken on the impact of training works on shoal erosion. The results indicate that the river training works can influence local hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions, thereby enhancing shoals’ resistance to erosion and decelerating shoal shrinkage. However, under altered hydrologic regimes, the effectiveness of training works wanes, thus failing to fully achieve its intended effects. Specifically, the bank protection project attenuated the intensity of scour at the head of the continent by 30% (average annual scour depth reduced from 2.1 m to 1.5 m) and increased the local stability index by 14.5% (from 0.744 to 0.852), but it is still below the critical threshold (1.024). The findings of this study are expected to provide a scientific basis for the planning and implementation of river training works in the Middle Yangtze River and serve as a reference for addressing similar issues in other regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/6/148the middle Yangtze RiverThree Gorges Damriver training worksshoal erosionhydrologic and hydrodynamic changes
spellingShingle Yao Yue
Weiya Huang
Yaxin Guo
Junhong Zhang
Yunping Yang
Dongdong Zhang
Linshuang Liu
Xinxin Chen
Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River
Hydrology
the middle Yangtze River
Three Gorges Dam
river training works
shoal erosion
hydrologic and hydrodynamic changes
title Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River
title_full Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River
title_fullStr Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River
title_short Effectiveness of River Training Projects in Controlling Shoal Erosion: A Case Study of the Middle Yangtze River
title_sort effectiveness of river training projects in controlling shoal erosion a case study of the middle yangtze river
topic the middle Yangtze River
Three Gorges Dam
river training works
shoal erosion
hydrologic and hydrodynamic changes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/6/148
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