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The Yellow River has, for ages, been a boon to the Chinese civilization as it provided life to the people living along its coast. But at the same time, the Yellow River is also one of the most difficult rivers to control. It is known to be prone to flooding and settlements along the river were devastated when it overflowed. Water levels could reach as high as 40 metres when flooding occurred and damages to life and properties were often heavy. The turning point came when Chairman Mao Zedong, after his inspection of the Yellow River in 1952, urged the relevant authorities to prioritise the management of the water flow of the Yellow River to prevent flooding. Construction of the Xiaolangdi Hydropower project proved to be the solution that the authorities needed to control the river’s flow.
Based on comprehensive assessments conducted by the authorities, damming of the Yellow river was identified as a potential solution to control flooding around the Yellow River area. The construction of the Xiaolangdi Hydropower project commenced with the approval of the National People's Congress. The dam helped to relief downstream water pressure during flooding seasons and regulated water discharge through downstream flood control systems that prevented flooding. The Xiaolangdi Reservior, in particular, has an important strategic role in controlling the water flow and sediment formation, guaranteeing continuous flow of the Yellow River for more than 12 years.
Since the Xiaolangdi Dam was completed, people in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River were spared from the peril of constant flooding. Economic and social activities around the Yellow River area prospered as a result. Whereas millions of people were forced to leave their homes in the past during flood seasons, people could now visit the Yellow River during flooding seasons to witness the natural phenomenon. Electricity generated from the hydropower project has lit up more than ten Chinese provinces and municipalities, effectively reducing 400 million tons of carbon emission and more than 5 million tons of sulphur dioxide.
The experience of the Yellow River and the Xiaolangdi Hydropower project showed that hydropower projects are not only a reliable source of clean energy but also an effective solution to regulating unpredictable river flows.
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