Table 2. Sediment Loads (Qs) at Four Key Gauging Stations Along the Changjiang (Locations Shown in Figure 1) for Different Time Periods 1950-2004 and Major Events Responsible for the Sediment Reductions											
Stations	Sediment Discharge During Different Time Periods										
	1950-1968a		1969-1985b		1986-2002c		2003-2004d				
	Qs, mt/yr	Ratio, %		Qs, mt/yr	Ratio, %		Qs, mt/yr	Ratio, %		Qs, mt/yr	Ratio, %
Yichang	540	100		520	96		410	76		80	15
Luoshan	410e	100		470	115		350	85		135	33
Hankou	450e	100		420	93		330	73		150	33
Datong	490e	100		440	90		340	69		180	37
a1950-1968 values are considered as reference levels of 100%.											
bThe Danjiangkou Reservoir was completed in 1969, trapping most of the sediment from Hanjiang.											
cNumerous hydropower stations and the Water-Soil Conservation Project started in Jialingjiang basin.											
dThe Three Gorges Dam began trapping sediment from the upper Changjiang in June 2003.
eAverages from 1954 to 1968 at Luoshan and Hankou and 1951 to 1968 for Datong.