Analysis on joint operation of lower Jinsha River and Three Gorges cascade reservoirs in 2024 flood season

To further enhance the joint operation capability of the cascade reservoirs on the lower Jinsha River and the Three Gorges Dam, and to improve the comprehensive utilization efficiency of water resources in the basin, this study conducted a retrospective analysis on joint operation processes of the cascade reservoirs during the 2024 flood season and impoundment period.The incremental benefits of key measures—specifically, the integrated utilization of flood control storage in the lower Jinsha River cascade, the optimized outflow regulation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, and the coordinated optimal operation of the cascade system—were quantified.The results show that in response to the complex hydrological conditions (i.e., "drought-flood abrupt alternation") during the 2024 flood season and under the scientific guidance of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, the cascade reservoirs successfully managed three numbered floods.A total of 13.45 billion m³ of floodwater was intercepted during the main flood season, thereby robustly ensuring flood control safety.Through refined operations during the impoundment period, the usable water volume of the cascade reservoirs reached 33.3 billion m³ by the end of December, 2.7 billion m³ more than the same period in 2023, laying a solid foundation for water supply in the dry season.Furthermore, compared to standard operational procedures, the joint scheduling reduced water abandonment by 8.3 billion m³ and increased power generation by 7.3 billion kW·h, significantly improving beneficial effects.The joint optimal scheduling practices of the cascade reservoirs in 2024 provide valuable references for optimizing operational strategies of basin-wide reservoir systems and achieving multi-objective collaborative regulation.