On the strategic role of flood control of the Yangtze river in the economic development of Hubei province

Hubei province is of importance to the Yangtze river flood control. The main reasons for the severe Yangtze river flood control situation in Hubei province are the more flood inflow from the upstream Yangtze river than the permissible safe flood outflow of the Jingjiang reach; the variation of the relationship between the Yangtze river and the Dongting lake; the decrease of flood storage area due to reclaiming land from lakes and shoals. Through analyzing the significant effect of the Yangtze river flood control system construction in Hubei province on society and economy and main problems arising since the founding of the new China, especially the 1998 Yangtze river flood, some proposals for further strengthening the construction of the Yangtze river flood control system are put forward.