origins of the yellow river -...

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The Yellow River Connection to Current Times

Origins of the Yellow River The Yellow River, or Huang He, in China has a long and fascinating history. Also called the “River of Sorrow,” it is China’s second longest river. Since the beginnings of early civilization, people have relied upon its waters for irrigation and food. Can you guess how the river got its name?

This map of China shows the mountains and valleys near the Yellow River.

High in the Kunlun Mountains in western China, the Yellow River begins its journey. The cool stream winds down into the valley where it picks up loess. Loess is a deposit of large particles of sediment or soil. Loess is dry and powdery and can be carried by wind. The color of loess, as you may have guessed, is yellowish. In China, soil from the Loess Plateau erodes into the Yellow River. This erosion creates problems that have occurred from ancient times to the present. Unfortunately, during the last four decades, too much sediment has threatened the river. The length of the Yellow River is calculated at approximately 3,400 miles. It turns, winds, and bends through China to the Bo Hai Gulf. The river is not very useful for shipping. Its primary function has been providing water for irrigation and other needs. One of the characteristics of the river is its capacity to flood quickly. For over 2,000 years the Chinese used basic tools to try to control the river. The first bridge did not cross the river until 1905! The waters were too wild and unpredictable. Early Civilizations The first ruler of the Xia dynasty 4,000 years ago was known to have said, "Whoever controls the Yellow River controls China.” Since early civilization, the Chinese have sought to use the river to their advantage. The early Chinese civilizations created irrigation canals to expand their agricultural areas. During the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE), more settlers moved into the area. This period in Chinese history was one of growth and technological development. Many settlers established farms on the Loess Plateau. Ever since this time, the region has experienced soil erosion, deforestation, and overuse of the land.



The state of Qin completed the Zhenggou, or Chengkuo, canal in 246 BCE. The emperor sent peasants to build the canal and then farm the land. The main crop was millet, which is a type of grain. This provided enough nutrition for the population to expand. These peasants provided food for soldiers manning the Great Wall. The Yellow River’s nickname, “River of Sorrow,” comes from its power to create disaster for the Chinese. The year 179 BCE is considered the “Year of the Flood” because thousands of people lost their lives. A series of earthquakes dumped sediment into the river that caused the banks to flood. The Han dynasty, which followed the Qin dynasty, tried to stabilize the river with canals. Han engineers controlled the water by building levees and diverting water into channels. Some of these levees lasted for centuries, but still the silt-laden river often flooded. The fields and villages around it were often destroyed. Over the last 2,000 years, the levees have failed over 1,500 times and the river has changed course at least 26 times. The modern path of the Yellow River was

not established until the 1850s. Despite the unpredictable nature of the Yellow River, the valleys have continued to feed one of the densest populations in the world. The farmers rely on irrigation from the river.

The Loess Plateau was among the earliest inhabited areas in northern China.

Modern Problems Over the past century, many farms have become factories while villages have turned into cities. The Yellow River has drastically declined. Once filled with fish and turtles, the waters are now toxic. Fifty percent of the river is considered to be biologically dead.

Population growth, increased irrigation, and damming of the river have been the biggest causes of the river’s decline. The population doubled between 1953 and 1982. More people required more agriculture and energy. Twelve dams were constructed on the river to provide electricity to the growing population. These dams hurt the delicate ecosystem and further slowed the river. Irrigation drainage from the river has also increased at unsustainable rates. In 1949, only800,000 hectares (one hectare equals 10,000 square meters or 2.471 acres) of land were being irrigated with the Yellow River. By 1997 the number of hectares exceeded 7.51 million.



The demand on the river for energy and irrigation has increased because of drought and pollution in the region. The river’s delta, once a fertile valley supporting stable agriculture, is now dry and dusty. Fertilizers are used more frequently to boost the crops, but these run into the river and cause even more damage. Sewage and industrial run-off are major contributors to the river’s poor condition. Sometimes the water is not yellow but red or purple. These colors are from chemicals dumped from nearby plants that produce everything from medicine to toys. There are days when the river does not even reach the sea because the waters are so silt-laden and sluggish. There is hope for the Yellow River, but the solutions will take many years to make a difference. Projects are now in place to reduce water consumption and fine polluters. Occasionally, the government bombs the clouds with silver iodide. This material helps water collect so it can rain more frequently, thereby replenishing the Yellow River. This is only a tiny measure in saving the river. Larger-scale projects include the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This project has been underway for the last fifty years and will link four major rivers in China. The government hopes that linking these rivers will bring water from other rivers, like the Yangtze River, to arid areas in the north. This linkage will place less of a burden on the Yellow River to supply the growing population. Some people worry that this may not be a good long-term solution, however,because moving water from one location to another does not encourage people to use less water. The decline of the Yellow River is similar to the state of many other great rivers of the world. Human population changes and the increased demand on our waterways have caused a crisis. If nothing or not enough is done, China risks running out of water. The policies in place and increased awareness of the impact of industry on water may give the Yellow River a chance to last for thousands more years.



After reading the passage, answer the following questions:

1. Which has had the most negative impact on the river over the last fifty years?

A. the levees of the river breaking B. the course of the river changing C. over-fishing of the river D. pollution of the river

2. Why is the loess problematic for the river?

A. It has a high salt concentration. B. Too much of it makes the river thick and slow. C. It caused the levees to break. D. It is an unnatural material in the water.

3. What should be done to help protect the Yellow River’s future? A. use water conservation methods and reduce pollution B. build more dams to slow the river’s journey to the sea C. increase the use of irrigation canals and reservoirs D. reduce the number of ships on the river

4. As with any resource, there are costs and benefits to using the rivers

of the world for water and power. Describe these costs and benefits of the Yellow River’s use over time. What role should the government take in protecting rivers? What about companies and individuals?

origins of the yellow river -...

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