STUDY ON DREDGING AT HEAD AREA AND UTILIZATION OF SEDIMENT RESOURCES IN THREE GORGES RESERVOIR

摘要

How to effectively control the sediment accumulation and sustain effective storage capacity has been a key issue for realizing the "long-term benefit" of the Three Gorges Reservoir. In particular, the sedimentation in the fluctuating backwater area of reservoir head has become the focus of social concern. To alleviate the impact of accumulative sediment on the navigation of the Yangtze River and effective storage capacity in the head area of Three Gorges Reservoir, it's necessary to, on the basis of reservoir regulation and dredging, further study feasible and effective plans for the dredging of head area. In this paper, the author studies the mechanical dredging methods and utilization of sediment resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir; analyzes and compares the dredging equipment that is applicable to the hydrological and sediment characteristics in the head area; proposes the recommended plans; studies the orientation for the utilization of sediment resources, and analyzes the investment efficiency. After comprehensive study, the author comes to the conclusion that it's of better economic benefit to dredge the head area with deep-water dredging equipment and utilize the sediment for the production of building materials and reclaiming of land. Therefore, this system can be adopted as an effective aid for methods to resolve the problem of sediment in the head area and maintain the regulation requirement of "ensuring still water for navigation, guaranteeing moving water by dredging, storing clean water, and discharging the silt" for the Three Gorges Reservoir.