An integrated hydrological model for the long-term water balance analysis of the Yellow River Basin, China

To clarify the influences of human activities on freshwater resources, the long-term (1960-2000) water balance of the Yellow River Basin (YRB) was analyzed using a semi-distributed hydrological model. To estimate the impact of the major anthropogenic factors, the following three sub-models (1) land-use change, (2) reservoir operation and (3) irrigation water use were applied. The model showed the impacts of soil water conservation in the Loess Plateau, large reservoir operation in the upper reach, and the deference of irrigation water use between upper and lower reaches quantitatively. The model developed in this study will contribute to the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in many countries and regions which are suffered by the various human activities.