DVD on the 9th International Symposium on River Sedimentation newly Produced

 

The DVD on the 9th International Symposium on River Sedimenation has been produced by the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation.

Brief introduction of the DVD :

Length of time: 23 min

Language: English

 

 

9th International Symposium on River Sedimentation

(Commentary)

 

 

(Rivers, fluvial plains, soil loss, construction of hydraulic engineering)

The Yangtze River shows thousands of waves at strong rain and wind. The Yellow River with many meanders carries large amount of sediments through thousands of kilometers. The roaring rivers have been nurturing human beings ever since ancient times, and the erosion and deposition of the sediment carried by rivers form the immense variety of river geomorphography and the vast fertile fluvial plain. However, the moving sediment brings also serious disasters to human beings. The worldwide soil erosion caused by flow to the surface layer leads to an annual loss of 700 hectares of cultivated land; the reservoir sedimentation leads to the loss of reservoir capacity for about 1% annually; erosion and deposition aggravate flood disasters and deteriorate the ecological environment. Therefore, river sedimentation problems are the important components of the three problems facing mankind at present---population, resources, and environment. How to keep river sediment movement within controlled range, improve the ecological environment, and reach a harmonious coexistence between mankind and rivers becomes the common task for sediment researchers from around the world. In 1980, Chinese scholars initiated the International Symposium on River Sedimentation (ISRS), which has already been held for 8 times. The standing secretariat is set within the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation or IRTCES in China . The 9 th International Symposium on River Sedimentation is scheduled to be held in central China 's Yichang city.

The theme of the 9 th ISRS is “Interactions between fluvial system and hydraulic project and the pertinent impacts of increasing human activities”. Large hydraulic engineering projects are unceasingly under construction. How to understand the interactive effects between the natural rivers and the engineering projects and how to correctly manage the consequences is an important topic for all attendants of the meeting.

 

(The Three Gorges, the arrival of participants of 9 th ISRS, the picture of the conference hall)

 

The landscape of local mountains gives people a fresh feeling in autumn. The atmosphere of Xiling Gorge welcomes guests from afar.

The 9 th International Symposium on River Sedimentation is held in Yichang, in central China 's Hubei province. It is located beside the Yangtze River .

The Symposium was organized by China 's Ministry of Water Resources, and co-sponsored by IRTCES, Changjiang River Water Resources Commission, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) and Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society (CHES). The ISRS proceedings are published and ready to be dispatched, which include four volumes containing 390 papers.

The sponsoring organizations have worked comprehensively and supplied participants with complete service including transport facilities and nice accommodation. 450 participants from 36 countries and areas, 4 international organizations gathered at the site of the Three Gorges to attend the symposium once in every three years.

 

(The opening ceremony)

On October 18th, the 9 th International Symposium on River Sedimentation opened in the conference hall of the Administration center of the Three Gorges Project. The opening ceremony was hosted by LiSheng SUO, executive chairman of the organizing committee, the vice Minister of Water Resources.

 

(VIP at the rest)

Those who took seats at the platform were: Minister of Water Resources, Shucheng Wang, General Director of the Three Gorges Project Development, Yongan Li, Vice governor of Hubei Province, Chengfa Ruan, Deputy Assistant Director General of UNESCO, Dr. A. Szollosi Nagy, Director of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission , Qihua Cai, Director of the Yellow River Water Resources Commission , Guoying Li. Executive Director of IAHR, Dr. Christopher George, and President of the IAHS, Prof. Kuniyochi Takeuchi.

 

(The congratulation address by Mr. Wang)

The chairman of the organizing committee and Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Wang Shucheng gave the opening address:

He said: This symposium is not only for the development of sediment science, but will also serve to promote the sustainable development of river management and water resource usage, promote the harmonious co-existence of mankind and nature.

 

(VIP who gave congratulation addresses)

Also making congratulatory notes are Mr. Yongan Li, Mr. Chengfa Ruan, Dr. A. Szollosi Nagy and Prof. Christopher Gorge. They all wish the symposium successful.

 

(The conference hall, keynote address, auditorium, and replies to questions)

12 experts domestic and oversea were invited to make keynote addresses. The contents of these addresses cover all important problems, recent progress and new findings.

“River management and eco-environment construction in China ” by Mr. Lisheng Suo

“Importance of sediment research in global water system science” by Prof. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi from University of Yamanashi , Japan

River sedimentation and morphology modeling ”by Prof. San S. Y. Wang from State University of Mississippi, USA

“Keeping the Yellow River healthy” by Guoying Li from the Yellow River Water Resources Commission

“Estuarine and coastal sedimentation problems” by Prof. Leo C Van Rijn

“Soil and Water Conservation in China ” by Zhen Liu, Director of Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Ministry of Water Resources

“Sediment management in hydroelectric projects by Ranga Raju, from India

“Using environmental radio-nuclides to trace sediment mobilization and delivery in river basins as an aid to catchment management” by Prof. D. E. Walling from Exeter University , U. K.

“Interaction between fluvial systems and large scale hydroprojects” by Prof. Zhaoyin Wang, from IRTCES, China

“Sediment research for the Three Gorges Project at the Yangtze River “ by Prof. Ren Zhang from Tsinghua University , China

“Sediment management of Alpine reservoir considering ecological and environmental aspects” by Prof. Sven Hartmann from Institute of Hydrosciences , German Armed Foreces University .

“Progress of sedimentation research for the Yangtze River ” by Representative from the Changjiang River Water Resources Commission

All these keynote addresses have attracted great interest among experts. During discussion, an in-depth and enthusiastic atmosphere was gradually extended and formed for scientific exchange.

 

(Panel discussions)

This symposium arranged 6 panel discussions. A total of 180 papers were presented in the panel discussion. About half of them are papers from Chinese scholars. These papers covered all aspects of sediment research, and especially focused on key problems such as large-scale hydraulic engineering projects and their environmental effect, the mechanics of river sediments estuarine and coastal engineering projects, environmental sediment problems, soil erosion, soil information, technology of measurements and modeling techniques etc.

 

The contents of these papers are relevant and well-prepared; the atmosphere in the hall is very active. Different schools and viewpoints inspire each other and result in a forum where various knowledge and thoughts, information and techniques exchange and combine.

 

(Various interviews)

Discussions expand ardently during meeting time, and friendly multi- interviews are held during intervals.

 

 

(The reserved lounge before opening ceremony)

Mr. Wang and Mr. Suo, the Minister and Vice Minister of Water Resources met the important guests from the UNESCO, IAHR and IAHS.

 

(Interview between Dr. Szollogi Nagy and vice minister Mr. Suo)

Vice Minister Mr. Suo received Dr. Szollogi Nagy, the deputy assistant Director General of UNESCO to talk about further support from UNESCO to IRTCES and reached common acknowledgement.

 

(Interview between Mr. Guoying Li and Prof. George)

The Director General of the Yellow River Water Resources Commission Mr. Li held meetings with Prof. George of the IAHR.

 

(Newspaper journalists)

Xinhua News agency and other media organizations reported on the 9 th ISRS. During the symposium, Dr. Szollogi Nagy from UNESCO, Director of IRTCES Mr. Jizhang Gao, Secretary General of the ISRS Dr. Chunhong Hu, Engineering Academician, and Mr. Qiwei Han and Prof. Gray J. R. from USA accepted the newspaper interviews.

 

(The 1st meeting of the WASER' council members)

The formal establishment of the WASER (World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research) is an important event during the 9 th ISRS. On October 16 th , the first meeting of the WASER's council members was held in Beijing . The statute of WASER was approved. The 1 st council meeting elected the president and the vice-presidents of the WASER, and also council members.

 

(The reception of council members by Mr. Shucheng Wang)

On 18 Oct., Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Shucheng Wang met council members of WASER and expressed ardent appreciation of the WASER established in China

 

(The inauguration of the WASER)

The Inauguration ceremony of the WASER was held in the morning of October 19th at the conference hall of the administration of the Three Gorges Project, Prof. Di Sivio, the vice president of the WASER, hosted the ceremony, Prof. Zhaoyin Wang, the Secretary General of the WASER introduced briefly the preparation works of the WASER. Mr. Jizhang Gao, the director of the IRTCES declared the establishment of the WASER on behalf of organizing committee.

Prof. D. E. Walling is the 1 st president of WASER. He gave a warm-hearted address recalling the past and comparing it with the present.

Those who addressed the inauguration ceremony of WASER include Dr. Szollogi Nagy, Deputy Assistant Director General of the UNESCO, Prof. George, executing director of the IAHR, Prof. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi, President of IAHS, Prof. Zhimin Meng, Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation and Science and Technology, and Prof. Geoge Gergov, Representative of World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWC).

The WASER is the first world scientific association with its headquarter in China . This symbolizes China 's increasing position in worldwide sediment research. The establishment of WASER will further promote the development of world sediment related science, it also facilitates more contacts between China 's water resources agencies and organizations world-wide.

 

(The Tantze Hill, the Three Gorges Project, and experts are taking pictures)

On October 20 th , according to the schedule of the 9 th ISRS, participants visited the Three Gorges Project, which attracted worldwide attention. The Three Gorges Project becomes famous not only for its grandiose scale, but also for its extremely complicated sediment problems. Wide ranging sediment research of the area has been carried out during the past years, and achieved abundant results. Many sediment experts went to the site of the Three Gorges Project for a visit after it stored water for one year. Some were visiting for the first time and took pictures here and there.

 

(The Exhibition hall of the Three Gorges Project)

In the Exhibition hall of the Three Gorges Project, experts looked at models and photographs to get familiar with the history of the project, the process of construction, as well as benefits and negative impacts after the completion of the project.

 

(The country Zigui, the new village of settlement of emigrants)

The relocation of emigrants has always been the focus of attention. Participants came to the newly built Zigui County . The old city has been inundated by the reservoir. The Yinxingtuo village is a typical settlement of emigrants among numerous similar ones. The guests' arrival didn't affect villagers' peaceful life. Experts entered emigrant's homes and chatted with family members.

 

(The reception banquet)

The organizers prepared colorful performances between busy meetings, to make the scientific exchange more vivid.

On the evening of October 18th, the organizing Committee held an open-air reception banquet for oversea and domestic guests.

The reception banquet was hosted by Prof. Zhimin Meng, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology. The welcome address was given by Mr. Lisheng Suo, the deputy Minister of Water Resources. On behalf of the general development corporation of the Three Gorges Project, Mr. Yaxiong Bi, vice manager of the corporation welcomed participants to visit the beautiful Three Gorges scenery.

With the accompaniment of joyful music, guests tasted the fine food and wine and while chatting with each other, and enjoyed China 's culture of cuisine.

 

(Performance of songs and dances)

On October 19th, a lively song and dance show performed by the Tujia ethnic group was held, which displayed the enchanting local culture of Sichuan Province . The vigorous dancing the cheerful songs deeply fascinated the overseas and domestic guests.

Some guests followed the Tujia people's songs, while some played the part of a “bridegroom” in a professional performance. Accompanied with lively music, overseas and domestic sediment experts even joined the dancing of Tujia youth.

 

(The closing ceremony)

The 4-day meetings went by quickly, and the closing ceremony and farewell banquet were held in the Three Gorges Project Hotel on the evening of 21 st Oct..

The closing ceremony was hosted by Prof. D. E. Walling. Vice Chairman of International Scientific Committee of the symposium, Prof. Ying Tan made a summary report on the scientific findings from all papers of this symposium.

Prof. Silke Wieprecht from Germany gave an speech on her feeling participating this forum.

Prof. Zhaoyin Wang declared the name list of the outstanding papers published on International Journal of Sediment Research.

Prof. D. E. Walling, President of WASER, Prof. Chi Ted Yang, the vice president of WASER and Prof. E. J. Plate, council member of WASER awarded prizes to the authors of the outstanding papers.

Mr. Jizhang Gao, vice president of the Organizing Committee of the 9 th ISRS declared the closing of the symposium.

Dr. Chunhong Hu, the Secretary General of the Organizing Committee handed over the flag of ISRS to the next hosting organization, the Moscow State University in Russia . The 9 th ISRS has successfully ended. People were expecting to meet each other in 2007 at Moscow .

 

(The contacts between participants, the scenery of rivers )

The symposium featured profound and wide-spread discussions. High-profile experts coming from various countries gathered at the Three Gorges. The topics of the symposium covered major problems worldwide in the river sediment discipline. The research results are new, which shows the highest level of sediment research. It is a successful forum, highly evaluated by overseas and domestic scholars.

The establishment of WASER with its headquarter in China will promote international cooperation and exchange. This will further raise the capability of sediment research and will further contribute the protection and utilization of land and water resources, as well as the improvement of ecological environment.