l      Management Reinforcing, Water Saving as the Strict Condition in Examination and Approval of Project Listing

Management Reinforcing is one of important practices in effectively water saving. It is the only way to eliminate the water uses wasting cases at the beginning in strict examination and approval project implementation. YRCC and the water administrative authorities in each province and autonomous regions should exams and approve the proposed water diversion project in conformity of the regulation systems of water uses saving. Responsible Planning Department should refer to the stipulation of  ¡°A separate demonstration of wording of water saving uses should be included in the proposal of project with high water consumption, otherwise, it can not be listed and implemented in case that against it¡± as Condition 27 of Chapter 4 of ¡°Policy of Water Resources Industry¡± to exam and approve project.

l       Study Emphasizing and Extension of Water Saving Technology

Central State Government strongly stresses the study and extension of water saving technology, Water Law of the People¡¯ Republic of China stipulates and authorities various level people¡¯ government to encourage and reward model workers and institutions who have achieved greatly results in water saving technology study. ¡°Policy of Water Resources Industry¡± of the State Council also regulates much effort should be stressed on water saving and study and techniques extension.

2.3 Soil Erosion and Water Conservation

2.3.1 Soil and Water Loss on the Loess Plateau

The Loess Plateau is most severe soil eroded area not only in China, but also in the World with total eroded area 454,000 km², among which, water eroded area covers 337,000 km², and wind eroded area covers 117,000 km².

By analysis, the area with erosion modulus greater than 5000t/ km².a is 146,500 km², which takes 38.9% of the total same category of China. The severe water eroded area with erosion modulus greater than 15000t/ km².a are about 36,700 km², which takes 89% of the total in China. The long¨Cterm average sediment inflow to the Yellow River is 1.6 billion tons with sediment concentration up to 35kg/ m³, which is 29 times of that on the Yangtze River.

The Sediment of the Yellow River is mainly from sediment-laden and coarse-sediment area on the Loess Plateau. The total area is about 212,200 km², among which, area with annual erosion modulus greater than 5,000t/ km².a are 191,000 km² (including wind eroded area). And average annual sediment inflow to the river from this area is 1.4 billion tons, taking above 80% of the total of sediment transport, among which, coarse sediment (Particle size D>0.05mm) takes 50%-70%.

Above 80% sediment of the total on the middle reach of the Yellow River concentratedly produces during flood period from June to September.

Artificial impact on soil and water losses show as follows, the first, cultivating steep slope and destroying forest, grass and natural vegetative cover. Secondly, destruction of vegetative cover, landscape and soil caused by mining, road construction and house construction. Based on investigation, statistics and analysis of related units, new increased soil and water losses caused human being take above 10% of the total, it will reach up to 20% within area with intensity of human being activities since founding of the People¡¯s Republic of China.

Soil erosion of the basin has coursed losses of topsoil together with water, soil and fertility. There are 40 million ton fertilizer including nitrogen, phosphate and potassium that will be lose together with 1.6 billion tons of sediment which is the annual delivery in the Yellow River for many years. The severe soil and water loss has not only worsen the deposition of the channel in the lower reaches and increased the threatening of flood control of the lower reaches, but also worsen the drought of the local area. Soil and water loss has severely restricted the local economic development.

2.3.2 Soil and Water Conservation

By end of 1997, accumulated accomplished preliminary treatment area of 7 provinces on the loess plateau was 166,000 km², taking one third of soil and water loss area. It built 5.53 million hm² of capital farmland; planted 8 million hm² of soil conservation trees and 2.33 million hm² grasses; built 100,000 warping dams and more than 980 key dams. The grain output has been increased more than 4 billion kg annually, solved 10 million people and 15 million domestic animals¡¯ drinking problem.

Through the soil and water conservation measures, the sediment flowed into the Yellow River of the basin has been reduced 300 million tons, making up 18% of 1.6 billion tons of average sediment delivery for many years.

2.4 Promotion of the river harnessing with advanced technology

The mass of scientific and technical staff members have accumulated a completed systematic basic data and conducted detailed studies on the Yellow River which is a complicated and difficult to be managed river in the world through closely combining their practice. They have achieved a large number of achievements that has reached world advanced level on the aspects of basic pattern of sediment movement of Yellow River floods, management, development and planning of the Yellow River, irrigation and hydro-electric projects construction, various river engineering works construction, soil conservation works construction and the development and utilization of water resources, bringing a great advance in continuous progress of science and technology on the river management and development of the Yellow River.

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