Long-term analysis of sediment load changes in the Red River system (Vietnam) due to dam-reservoirs

Abstract

The sediment regime of the Red River system, the second largest in Vietnam, has undergone changes since the implementation of dams and reservoirs, with implications for downstream river processes. We analyzed long-term datasets of daily discharge and suspended sediment concentrations collected at key gauging stations downstream of the three main tributaries: HB on the Da River, YB on the Red River (main channel), VQ on the Lo River, and ST, the outlet of the Red River system. The results indicated a sharp reduction in the annual sediment load transported by the Red River system, as observed at the four stations. For example, at the ST station, there was a dramatic decline of 91% in sediment load, dropping from 117.9 × 10⁶ ton/yr in the period 2009–2021 to 10.5 × 10⁶ ton/yr in the period 1958–1987. The Red River system experienced two notable declines in sediment load. The first decline occurred from 1988 to 2008, which can be attributed to the commencement of Hoa Binh dam's operation in 1988. The second decline has taken place since 2009, coinciding with the utilization of new dam-reservoirs. Meanwhile, an abrupt change in water discharge was observed clearly since the end of 2008 at all four stations. However, the reductions in water discharges were found to be less pronounced when compared to the sediment budget. Based on our analysis, we concluded that the impacts of dam-reservoirs have had a more substantial influence on the system compared to variations in climate, such as air temperature and precipitation.