Rationality Analysis of the Heihe River '97' Water Diversion Scheme under Changing Environment

The environmental condition has changed after the implementation of the '97' water diversion scheme, and there are still queries regarding the rationality of the water diversion scheme due to the potential difficulty of completing the releasing goal of Zhengyixia section. This paper simulated the implementation of the scheme through a simulation model for water resources allocation in the Heihe River. Then, the rationality of the water diversion scheme was evaluated. Results indicated that, in the current water demand situation, the releasing indicator could not be completed. The releasing indicator could be accomplished under two returning farmland schemes in the midstream, but the irrigation guarantee rate is low and the groundwater is overused. Therefore, there are some irrationalities between the '97' water diversion scheme based on economic, social and hydrologic conditions in the Heihe River in the mid-1980s and the current situation of the Heihe River Basin.