The Yellow River Problem

The river problems of North China, aggravated by serious floods and heavy silt loads, have perplexed the Chinese for more than 4 000 yr. Especially has the Yellow River taxed the ingenuity of their hydraulic engineers, as shown by the numerous changes of course this river has taken across the Great Plain of North China through recorded history, changes that have meant appalling disasters to the population of the plain. What Western engineers have learned in recent years about its many-sided problems is outlined in this paper. Such evidence as is available is offered to indicate that certain phases of the Yellow River problem are much clearer to-day than they were in 1919 when the first attempts were made by Western engineers to probe into the hydraulics of this exceptional river and suggest methods for its control and regulation. Proposals for a general regulation program are also outlined, based on the most recent investigations. These proposals give promise of more adequate flood insurance for the population of the Great Plain than has existed previously. Since 1919, both writers have been connected with organizations, such as the Yellow River Commission, the Chihli or North China River Commission, and the China International Famine Relief Commission, all of which have been concerned with investigations of this river in a modern way. Data presented in this paper have been gathered by these Commissions, or under their direction unless otherwise mentioned.