Lijin station records extreme dry spell

In 1997, the Lijin hydrological station in Dongying, Shandong province, recorded 226 days without any water flow. This station is the last before the mouth of the Yellow River, about 100 km from the sea. These 226 days represent an annual total, not a continuous period, and are the only firmly established figure available for such a dry spell.

Causes of the dry period

The idea that dams cut off the river from its estuary is oversimplified. The main cause of the dry period was increased water withdrawals, especially for irrigation, which has multiplied fivefold since 1950. Decreased rainfall played a secondary role. Provincial water quotas in 1999 restored the river's flow to the sea.

Impact on the Yellow River

The Yellow River is over 5,464 km long and supports 12 percent of China's population and 17 percent of its arable land. In 1997, 704 km of the riverbed was dry, equivalent to the distance between Paris and Toulouse. Only 1.8 km³ of water passed through Lijin that year, a volume comparable to 720,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Water usage and shortages

Since 1950, irrigation has increased fivefold, and combined with urban and industrial needs, it has significantly reduced water availability. Rainfall has decreased by about 12 percent compared to the 1950s, but this is not the main cause of the water shortage. The primary issue is the large volume of water withdrawn from the riverbed for agriculture and other uses.

Restoration of the river

In 1999, provincial water quotas were introduced, and within ten days, water flowed again at Lijin. As of August 12, 2024, the river has been flowing continuously for 25 years. This means a child born in 1999 has never experienced a dry period at Lijin.

Water management principles

Each province receives a fixed share of water instead of unlimited withdrawals. The river commission sets annual distribution plans with volume limits for each province. This system forces provinces to balance water use between agriculture, cities, and industry. The impact of these limits is significant, as seen in the restoration of the Yellow River's flow.