Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on Regulation and Storage Capacity of Poyang Lake

The regulation and storage capacity of Poyang Lake is infl uenced by the fl ow from the main stream of the Yangtze River and the fi ve rivers in the Poyang Lake basin.After the operation of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD),hydrological changes in the main stream of the Yangtze River impact water exchange between the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake.Based on the analysis of measured data and factors infl uencing outfl ow at Hukou station,a new empirical formula describing outfl ow at Hukou station and critical water level for lake storage capacity is established.The change in monthly storage capacity of Poyang Lake before and after the construction of the TGD is analyzed quantitatively.The results show that the fl ows from the main stream of the Yangtze River and the fi ve rivers in the Poyang Lake basin affect outfl ow and water storage capacity by changing the water level difference between Xingzi and Hukou stations and by changing the water level at Hukou station.But the Yangtze River and the fi ve rivers in the Poyang Lake basin differ in process and degree.If the water level at Hukou station remains consistent,when the fl ow from the fi ver rivers increases by 1,000 m3/s,the outfl ow at Hukou station increases by 304 m3/s.When the fl ow from the main stream of the Yangtze River increases by 1,000 m3/s,the outfl ow at Hukou station decreases by 724 m3/s.In addition,the operation of the TGD affects the water storage capacity of Poyang Lake.The water volume of Poyang Lake decreases by 49.4%in September,but increases by 47.7%in May.