This site provides a great deal of information about the Huang He (also known as the Yellow) River. As we discussed in class, this river has played a vital role in the lives of Chinese citizens in the area. While it has provided nourishment throughout much of Chinese history, it has also created disastrous conditions that have decimated scores of natives. The reason for the nickname the Yellow River is due to the deposits (loess) that it carries suspended in its flow. The river is usually thought of as three separate parts, with the middle section being the most heavily saturated with loess. The final portion of the river is where, as discussed in class, the river has risen so much over the years due to sediment deposits that walls have to be constructed in order to contain the river. This section is located across the North China plain. This river is very interesting in the sense that it provides nourishment to so many people, but also has caused so much devastation. It has also played a role in the culture of China, dating all the way back to Yu around 2000 B.C. It is believed that Yu cleared the river without the use of dykes like his father. Anyway, check out this site to discover more about the Yellow River...
-Tim
I think its interesting that Chinese culture can be traced back to this river. Unfortunately though, little is known about the early inhabitants of this river valley because there isn't much archaeological evidence left. http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~dee/ANCCHINA/YELLOW.HTM
I enjoyed exploring the site that Tim provided with his original comments, and I found another site that deals with the ways in which the lower course of the Yellow River has gradually changed over time. The large amounts of silt carried by the yellow river combined with a slower current by the sea in turn redeposite, building up the river bed and forcing the wate to change course. Here is the site.
Changing course site
I thought Tim's site on the Yellow River was particularly interesting. I visited China a few summers ago, but only saw the Yangtze River. Seemingly, they have taken drastic, but necessary measures (with the sometimes yearly flooding) by building the Three Gorges Dam (see http://www.chinaonline.com/refer/ministry_profiles/threegorgesdam.asp). While its construction caused some intense debates, it was eventually decided that its benefits would outweigh the downsides. It was a very costly endeavor and would require substantial resettlement; however, the ability to control future floods and utilize the dam to generate power proved more important. The Yellow River floods cause not only ecological/environmental damage, but also substantial physical destruction (of homes, buildings, and other imperative structures). Why would they not consider building something similar to the Three Gorges Dam on the Yellow River? Is it too costly? Or are they worried about subsequent environmental damage? It seems that with a hydro-electric dam system, the residents could utilize the powerful floods to their advantage.
Posted by: kristin at September 27, 2004 05:31 PMThe BIG problem with any dam is that it eventually becomes silted up --the silt carried by the energy of moving water is deposited when the water slows (just as Kuan Chung said to Duke Huan). Thus, dams have half-lives... and the silt in the Huang is in such a concentration that it would be an even greater problem, even sooner. And of course tehre's also the issue that you need an existing valley that CAN be dammed, and there isn't one for the Huang.
Posted by: Hugh at September 28, 2004 09:25 PM