Ma et al. (2026) Response of sediment delivery ratio to water-sediment and riverbed boundary conditions during flood events in the lower yellow river since 2000

Identification

• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-03-07
• Authors: Yanjun Ma, Min Zhang, Chunjin Zhang, Xiaohua Zhang, Zanying Sun
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-42616-7

Research Groups

• Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
• University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
• Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Yellow River Conservancy Commission, Zhengzhou, China
• Key Laboratory of Lower Yellow River Channel and Estuary Regulation, Ministry of Water Resources, Zhengzhou, China

Short Summary

This study investigates the response of the sediment delivery ratio to water-sediment and riverbed boundary conditions in the Lower Yellow River since 2000, developing a theoretical equation that incorporates riverbed characteristics for improved accuracy in predicting sediment transport capacity during flood events. The findings highlight the crucial role of riverbed boundaries and offer practical recommendations for river management.

Objective

• To examine the response of the sediment delivery ratio to water-sediment and riverbed boundary conditions in the Lower Yellow River (LYR) since the operation of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir began.
• To evaluate the spatial-temporal variations of water-sediment and riverbed boundaries based on hydrological and topographic data from 2000 to 2023.
• To develop a theoretical equation for the sediment delivery ratio during flood events, thoroughly considering the effects of riverbed boundary conditions.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Lower Yellow River (LYR), specifically focusing on reaches such as Aishan to Lijin and Tiexie to Lijin.
• Temporal Scale: Since 2000, with data analyzed from 2000 to 2023.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: A theoretical equation for the sediment delivery ratio during flood events, developed based on the sediment transport rate equation. This equation explicitly incorporates riverbed boundary conditions, including median particle size of bed sediment, river gradient, and width-to-depth ratio.
• Data sources: Hydrological data and topographic data from the Lower Yellow River. Specific sources include:
  • Hydrological Yearbook of the People’s Republic of China (1960 − 2023)
  • Yellow River Sediment Bulletin (2008 − 2023)
  • Yellow River Water Resources Bulletin (2008 − 2023)
  • Documented Data of Fluvial Processes of the Lower Yellow River (1987)

Main Results

• The sediment delivery ratio exhibits a negative correlation with the incoming sediment coefficient, the median particle size of bed sediment, and the width-to-depth ratio.
• Conversely, it shows a positive correlation with the water load variation coefficient and river gradient.
• Incorporating riverbed boundary conditions into the theoretical equation significantly improves the precision of alignment with measured sediment delivery ratio data compared to models considering only water and sediment conditions.
• The riverbed boundary is identified as a crucial factor influencing the sediment delivery ratio.
• Under current boundary conditions, the Aishan to Lijin reach demonstrates the highest sediment transport capacity.
• To enhance the sediment transport capacity of the Tiexie to Lijin reach, it is recommended to narrow the river width upstream of Gaocun and increase the width-to-depth ratio.

Contributions

• Developed a novel theoretical equation for the sediment delivery ratio during flood events that comprehensively integrates riverbed boundary conditions (median particle size, river gradient, width-to-depth ratio), improving prediction accuracy.
• Quantitatively demonstrated the critical influence of riverbed boundary conditions on sediment delivery ratio, providing a more holistic understanding than previous models.
• Provided essential scientific insights into the sediment transport capacity of alluvial rivers under varying water-sediment and riverbed boundary conditions.
• Offered practical and specific recommendations for hydrological engineering and river management practices in the Lower Yellow River, particularly for enhancing sediment transport capacity in specific reaches.

Funding

• National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. U2243220
• Basic Research Fund for Central Public−interest Scientific Institution, Grant No. HKY−JBYW − 2024 − 18
• Science and Technology Development Fund of the Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Grant No. 202418
• 2025 Central Government Guiding Local Fund Project: Research on Safety Prevention and Control Technologies for Levees Against Overbank Flooding in the Main Stream of the Yellow River, Grant No. YDZX2025024
• Major Science and Technology Project of the Ministry of Water Resources: Research on Rehabilitation Goals for Riparian Habitats and Water-Sediment Regulation Indicators in the Wandering Reach of the Yellow River, Grant No. SKS-20222061

Citation

@article{Ma2026Response,
  author = {Ma, Yanjun and Zhang, Min and Zhang, Chunjin and Zhang, Xiaohua and Sun, Zanying},
  title = {Response of sediment delivery ratio to water-sediment and riverbed boundary conditions during flood events in the lower yellow river since 2000},
  journal = {Scientific Reports},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-42616-7},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42616-7}
}