The Huanghe (Yellow) River: a review of its development, characteristics, and future management issues

The Huanghe River, due to its huge sediment load, frequent floods, and shifts in course, has had a major impact on the coastal regions of China. The high concentration of suspended sediment and sediment load are responsible for many strange or unique phenomena such as “hanging river” and perilous traps on the coastal plain, and hyperpycnal plumes, shear fronts, fluid mud, muddy ponds, and hard plate-like sands in the subaqueous environment. Decreases in river discharge over the past 25years have led to frequent dry periods when the river does not reach the sea and yet the risk of flood disasters still exists. Because of oil and other developments in the delta over the past four decades, the Chinese government has managed and stabilized the river channels. Additional management initiatives should be made to further fully utilize the river discharge of water and sediment, continue stabilization of the river mouth, and accommodate continued development.