Progress of River Health Assessment and Environmental

Flows Allocation in China

Dr . Yu Xingjun �Ministry of Water Resources of China �

February 2011 �

Background

 Many rivers and lakes suffer quality deterioration, changes in morphology and hydrology, as well as habitat degradation.

 Since 1990s, water reallocations have been carried out in the Yellow River, Hei River and Tarim River, which reduced deterioration of river health in those basins.

Background   In 1990s, a number of projects have been implemented which have improved river health, including:

 “Water Supply to Zhalong Wetland”  “Water Diversion from the Yangtze River to the Taihu Lake”   “Water Supply to the Nansihu Lakes”  “Water Diversion from the Yellow River to the Baiyangdian Lake”  “Reservoirs Dispatching for Pollution Dilution in the Huai River ”  “Water Regulation to Control Sea Water Intrusion in the Estuary of the Pearl River”

  Starting in 2004, pilot projects have been undertaken in 12 cities to carry out ecological protection and rehabilitation of the rivers and lakes in these regions.

National River Health Assessment Programme (NRHAP)

Purpose: To help MWR and seven major river basin commissions perform their role in water and ecological protection and contribute to the achievement of river health objectives by 2020.

Outputs: (i) river health assessment system established at national and major river basin levels; (ii) river health assessment bulletin issued to the public every 2 to 3 years .

Schedule of NRHAP

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2009

Phase I Main tasks:

•  Develop river health assessment indicators, standards and methodologies

•  River health survey for a complete year

•  Preparation of River Health Assessment Report (Pilots)

•  Capacity building

Phase II Main tasks:

•  Revision of relevant technical documents/guidelines

•  Study on key technologies

• Capacity building

•  River health assessment of major rivers/lakes

Workplan of Phase I

Study on specific topics;

Technical Guidance;

Pilot assessment.

Technical Preparation National Key

Rivers and Lakes Health Assessment

Report (2011)

2009 2010 2011 2012

Current Work (2010 to 2011)

Pilot Assessment One river, lake and reservoir selected for each of seven major basins to carry out health assessment !

Research Studies

 Ecological survey of typical rivers/lakes and characterisation study

 Study on river health assessment in China and abroad

 Data base analysis and investigation on monitoring capacity

 River health assessment indicators

 River health assessment standards

 River health assessment methodologies

Challenges for River Health Assessment   Insufficient knowledge about:

 ecological zoning for river health assessment   threat-impact relations  indicators, standards and methodologies

  Data base: Inadequate data and capacity on biological and habitats monitoring

  Interagency collaboration: pollution (environmental protection), wetland (forestry), fishery (agriculture)

  Lack of empirical studies: limited cases available in terms of number and types

Environmental Flows  The 2002 Water Law requires that ecological water demand to be taken into consideration while developing and allocating water resources

  One of the key principles guiding the preparation of the national Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) 2009 is to balance the water demands for domestic, productive and ecological use, and meet the basic water needs of rivers and lakes.

 IWRP 2009 proposes an objectives of national e-flows by 2030 in terms of total volume

Challenges  associated  with  E-­‐flows

•  Although objectives are set in IWRP 2009, e-flows have generally not been allocated to individual rivers/lakes

•  E-flows analysis is qualitative and only a total (average annual) volume is prescribed – e-flows are not defined with reference to the required timing of the flow.

•  Great difficulties exist while taking e-flows requirements into water resources administration, especially due to over-allocation and high demands for water

ACEDP    River  Health  and  Environmental  Flow  in  China  Project  

(RHEFC)  River health assessment and environmental flow methodologies developed under RHEFC is of great help to China’s practice

 RHEFC is highly relevant to China in the identification of suitable river health indicators and preparation of river health report cards

  Field works, training and workshops have improved the capacity building of Chinese organisations involved. Impacts have been observed beyond the scope of RHEFC.

Next Steps for Bilateral Cooperation

Extension proposal of RHEFC was approved by ACEFP on Feb. 22, 2011.

  Extension will reinforce the approached already promoted during the current project

 Extension will help MWR test national river health guidelines, including identification of indicators and formulation of standards

Next Steps for Bilateral Cooperation

  Extension will provide advice and policy recommendations on e-flows, water allocation and basin planning methods based on international reviews.

  Extension will further strengthen capacity building of Chinese sides through training, workshops, publication and dissemination.

  MWR and Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management are preparing a MOU. International Economic and Technical Cooperation and Exchange Centre and International Water Centre will be responsible for implementation.

 The purpose of this MOU is: (i)  to continue previous collaborations (ii)  to facilitate the long-term sharing of knowledge and expertise in relation to the sustainable management of water resources (iii)  to collaborate across areas of education and training, applied research, and targeted project design and implementation

  River health and e-flows are identified as two of the priority topics.

Next Steps for Bilateral Cooperation

Thanks