Ecological operation goals for Three Gorges Reservoir

The research on the reservoir ecological operation is a hotspot problem in the current river ecological restoration research. On the basis of the actual situation of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), the ecological problems of current reservoir operation schemes are pointed out. Taking Yichang hydrological station in the downstream of TGR as a case, the ecological operation goals of TGR are studied from mainly maintaining the environmental flow of natural rivers and protecting the spawning and reproduction of two species fish of Chinese Sturgeon and four major Chinese carps. The study has an important meaning for maintaining the healthy river ecosystem, and the results provide the reference for making the reasonable reservoir operation schemes after the completion of Three Gorges Project.