Feasibility and quantification analysis of floodwater utilization

There has been a rapid increase in water shortage problems in conjunction with the extensive economic development that has occurred in China over the past 20 years. Evaluation of precipitation in areas subject to monsoons such as northeast China has revealed that asymmetrical precipitation distribution sometimes causes heavy flood disasters during the short rainy seasons and serious water shortages during the long dry seasons in such locations. Therefore, it may be possible to use floodwater to meet the increasing water demand in China. In this study, the natural features and feasibility of the use of floodwater as a resource was evaluated taking Songhua River as an example. In addition, a quantitative method was developed to analyze floodwater utilization in the middle or downstream portions of rivers, which generally do not contain a suitable site for construction of regulating equipment. The results of this study were as follows: (1) in the area of the monsoon precipitation zone, floodwater comprises the majority of the annual surface water entering the system; therefore, the use of floodwater resources is necessary; (2) division of the river water into four fractions, ecological water, safe water, risk water and disaster water, can enable quantitative analysis of floodwater utilization.