Sanmenxia Water Control Project in Henan launches the Yellow River's water and sediment regulation operations ahead of the 2026 main flood season

On July 5, according to the dispatch order of the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, the Sanmenxia Reservoir began operation at a flow of 1,500 cubic meters per second at 9:00 a.m. on July 5, carrying out the Yellow River water and sediment regulation ahead of the 2026 main flood season. Starting at 9:00 p.m. that day, the discharge flow increased to 2,000 cubic meters per second, and then continued to rise to 3,200 cubic meters per second. The Sanmenxia Water Conservancy Hub is located in the lower reaches of the middle Yellow River. It is the first largescale water conservancy project built on the main stream of the Yellow River after the founding of New China, and plays an important linking role in the Yellow River flood control and watersediment regulation system. This water and sediment regulation is intended to coordinate reservoir drawdown and flood preparedness before the flood season, promote sediment discharge and reduce siltation, and optimize the reservoir siltation pattern while ensuring subsequent droughtrelief water use and the safety of river flood discharge. The management department of the Sanmenxia Water Conservancy Hub said that during the dispatch period it will closely monitor changes in weather, water conditions, and flow, strengthen emergency duty, floodcontrol consultation, and engineering inspections, and do a good job in discharge warnings and safety supervision to ensure the safety of personnel and the project. Relevant departments also reminded the public that during the water and sediment regulation period, river flows are large and the duration is long, so the public should stay away from the river and avoid taking risks by wading into the water.