Abstract: The water surface floating debris have affected Three Gorges Project operation since storage. The engineering practice indicates the way of “draining off floating matters primarily, salvaging auxiliarily” in contradiction with social development requirements, and it is difficult to use manpower and salvaging boats to deal with large quantities of erupting floating debris. To realize the comprehensive benefits and protect the Yangtze River water environment, an effective management way for the Three Gorges Reservoir floating debris is necessary. On the basis of the hydraulic model test results and rivertype characteristics of Three Gorges Reservoir, it is feasible to adopt the management way of “salvaging floating matters primarily, draining off auxiliarily”. By the way, floating matter gathering zones are set up in Three Gorges Reservoir. The method would probably reduce or avoid the impact of floating debris on Three Gorges Project operation.

Key words: floating debris ,   guiding barrier  , collecting barrier ,   floatingmatter gathering zone ,  salvage