Sino-Australian Yangtze River Flood Control and Management

In march 1998, the ministry of Water Resources ( MWR ) of the People’s Republic of China ( PRC ) presented to the Government of Australia a proposal for the Yangtze River Flood Control and Management Project. The overarching goal for this project was developed from the MWR’s intention to upgrade river basin flood management and mitigation in China: 

            “To reduce the loss of life, damage to property and social disruption caused by flooding in   China through improved basin flood management systems.” 

It was intended that the Yangtze project should also be a demonstration flood management project with outcomes applicable to other river basins in China. Accordingly the purpose of the project was:

           “To demonstrate an integrated flood management system for the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, with increased flood forecast accuracy and lead time and improved decision support.” 

The Yangtze River Flood Control and Management Project was a Project Financed by the Governments of Australia through its International Aid Agency ( AusAID ) and the Peoples Republic of China.

 Implementation occurred from March 2001 until October 2005 with extension work to continue in 2006. 

The Project has successfully developed an integrated flood management system for the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, with increased flood forecast accuracy, greater lead-time and better information for decision makers. This was achieved through the introduction of new technology and strengthening the capacity for flood forecasting and management for the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River ( from Yichang to Jiujiang ). 

Changjiang Flood Management Decision Spport System

The project has provided water level and rainfall monitoring equipment;communication and data management hardware and software; a microwave link, a mini-computer for advanced climate modeling, DGPS equipment to improve stream gauging accuracy; developed hydrologic and hydraulic flood-forecasting models and a decision Support System’ incorporating Flood Forecasting and Options analysis Systems. The Project also included targeted capacity building programs for Counterpart staff, both in China ( ‘on-the-job’ ) and in Australia ( work experience placements and specific technical courses )