Abstract
This paper examines the impacts of climate variability upon the regional hydrological regimes of the Yellow River in China. Results indicate that the average annual precipitation is 494·8 mm in La Niña years and only 408·8 mm in El Niño years. The difference is 86·0 mm, or 18·8% over the long‐term average. The stream‐flows in the La Niña years are higher than that in El Niño years: 9·2% at the Lan‐Zhou station, 9·5% for Tou‐Dao‐Guai station, 11·8% for Long‐Men, 17·6% for San‐Men‐Xia, 19·2% at the Hua‐Yuan‐Hou station, and 22·0% at the Li‐Jin station. Both precipitation and stream‐flow responses show temporal and spatial patterns. The relationship among the stream‐flow, precipitation, and temperature, which was obtained by ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst based on observed data, indicates stream‐flow is sensitive to both precipitation and temperature. For small precipitation increases (less than 13%), the stream‐flow percentage change is less than the precipitation change for the Yellow River. The results of this paper can be used as a reference for watershed water resources planning and management to maintain the healthy life and proper function of the river. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.