Spatiotemporal Differences in Flood Propagation in Poyang Lake

WANG Zhi-chao, WU Qiu-qin, QU Geng, HUANG Zhi-wen, LUAN Hua-long, YOU Wen-sun, LI Yi-peng

Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (11) : 183-192.

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Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (11) : 183-192. DOI: 10.11988/ckyyb.20250416
Evolution and Regulation of Lakes Connecting to the Yangtze River

Spatiotemporal Differences in Flood Propagation in Poyang Lake

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Abstract

[Objective] To enhance the understanding of Poyang Lake’s flood characteristics and provide a reference for optimizing flood regulation strategies, we conducted an in-depth investigation into the spatiotemporal patterns of flood propagation in Poyang Lake under the backwater effect from the Yangtze River by comprehensively analyzing differences in flood propagation time, spatial distribution characteristics, and changes in dynamic storage capacity. It further reveals the characteristics of lake flood propagation and its impact on flood control in surrounding areas. [Methods] By integrating hydrological statistical analysis and 2D hydrodynamic simulation methods, we constructed a flood evolution model for the Yangtze River-Poyang Lake system. [Results] 1) Differences in flood propagation time: The annual maximum lake outflow was primarily controlled by floods from its catchment area, whereas the annual highest lake water level was mainly determined by floods from the Yangtze River. The peak discharge generally reached the lake outlet within 48 hours, while the propagation of the peak water level was slightly longer, at 54 hours. The lake’s storage effect tended to shorten the arrival time of the discharge peak, but when encountering floods from the Yangtze River, the backwater effect became more significant. 2) “Five Rivers” and their impacts: The flood propagation paths of different inflowing rivers varied significantly. The flood from the Xiushui River had the shortest propagation distance, reaching the lake outlet the fastest. In contrast, the flood from the Fuhe River had the longest propagation distance and significantly impacted the southern core lake basin. For the “Five Rivers,” the average propagation time for peak discharge was 48 hours, and for peak water level was 54 hours. The peak water levels from the Fuhe, Raohe, and Xinjiang rivers all took 56 hours to reach the lake outlet. 3) Characteristics of dynamic storage capacity: The backwater effect of the Yangtze River was found to significantly influence the water surface slope of Poyang Lake. When the backwater intensity f exceeded 6, the lake surface became as gentle as a reservoir area, and the error in water volume calculation using the stage-storage curve was small. During major basin floods, the water level difference across the lake increased sharply; the average dynamic storage capacity reached 840 million m3, with a maximum of up to 2.2 billion m3. Changes in dynamic storage capacity directly affected the accuracy of flood forecasting and the evaluation of flood control benefits. The traditional stage-storage curve produced considerable errors during the main flood season (May-June), necessitating correction for dynamic storage capacity. [Conclusion] Flood propagation in Poyang Lake is significantly influenced by the comprehensive river-tributary-lake interaction. The lake outflow is predominantly governed by floods from the catchment area, while the water level at the lake outlet is markedly affected by river-lake interaction. Differences in the propagation paths of inflowing rivers lead to variations in flood propagation times and impact areas, with the Fuhe River flood having the most significant effect on the lake’s water level rise. The backwater effect of the Yangtze River significantly affects the lake’s water surface slope and dynamic storage capacity, and the latter is critically important for flood forecasting and the evaluation of flood control benefits during the main flood season. This study’s innovative integration of a “water level correlation” setting for the open boundary condition effectively simulates the flood behavior in river confluence areas and improves the model’s accuracy and reliability. Future research can further investigate flood propagation characteristics under various actual flood combinations, offering valuable insights for regions facing similar flood threats globally.

Key words

Poyang Lake / flood propagation / spatiotemporal differences / river-lake interaction / backwater effect / stage-storage curve

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WANG Zhi-chao , WU Qiu-qin , QU Geng , et al . Spatiotemporal Differences in Flood Propagation in Poyang Lake[J]. Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute. 2025, 42(11): 183-192 https://doi.org/10.11988/ckyyb.20250416

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