Niulanjiang River in Kunming, Qujing and Zhaotong

Niulanjiang River (牛栏江), also known as Tanglang River (堂琅江) and Chehong River (车洪江), is a significant tributary of the upper Yangtze River (长江), specifically on the right bank of the Jinsha River (金沙江). It originates in Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province, flowing a total length of 423 kilometers with a drop of 1660 meters, and has a drainage area of 13,320 square kilometers. The river generally flows from south to north, traversing the eastern part of Yunnan Province and Weining County (威宁县) in Guizhou, eventually merging with the Jinsha River in Zhaotong (昭通).

Overview

The river features several major tributaries, including Malong River (马龙河), Xize River (西泽河), Hala River (哈喇河), and Xiaochang River (硝厂河). Niulanjiang River has substantial hydropower resources, with a theoretical storage capacity of 1841.2 MW, of which 1669.9 MW (90.7% of the total) is found in the main stream. Key hydropower stations along the main river include Eluojiaoping (额罗家坪) and Hongshiyan (洪石岩). Notable inter-basin water diversion projects include the Niulanjiang-Dianchi Lake (滇池) water supply project.

General Information

• Chinese Name: 牛栏江
• Other Names: 牛洪江 (Niuhongjiang), 牛栏河 (Niulanhe)
• Ancient Name: 堂琅江 (Tanglangjiang)
• River System: Upper Yangtze River, right bank tributary of the Jinsha River
• Regions: Eastern Yunnan Province, Western Guizhou Province
• Source: Kunming City (昆明市), Yunnan Province
• Course Through: Kunming, Qujing, Zhaotong, Weining, Guizhou
• Mouth: Tianba Mahao Village (田坝麻耗村), Zhaoyang District (昭阳区), Zhaotong City
• Total Length: 461 kilometers
• Drainage Area: 13,320 km²
• Drop: 1660 m

Main Stream Overview

The main stream of Niulanjiang is 423 kilometers long, with a total drop of 1660 meters and a drainage area of 13,320 square kilometers. It flows generally from south to north through various counties and cities in Yunnan Province, including Songming County (嵩明县), Malong County (马龙县), Xundian County (寻甸县), Qilin District (麒麟区), Zhanyi County (沾益县), Xuanwei City (宣威市), Huize County (会泽县), Qiaojia County (巧家县), Ludian County (鲁甸县), and Zhaoyang District (昭阳区), finally emptying into the Jinsha River in Zhaotong City.

In Songming County, the upper reaches of the Niulanjiang were originally known as Chehong River, with two sources: Guoma River (果马河), which is the main source at an elevation of 2320 meters, and a secondary source from Xundian County's Jinshuo Township (金所乡) that flows south into Songming County, joining with the Duolong River (对龙河) and becoming Niulanjiang.

The primary tributaries include:

• Guoma River (果马河)
• Pusha River (普沙河)
• Miliang River (弥良河)
• Duolong River (对龙河)
• Yanglin River (杨林河)
• Kuanglang River (匡郎河)
• Malong River (马龙河)
• Xize River (西泽河)
• Xiaochang River (硝厂河)
• Hala River (哈喇河) in Guizhou Province
• Yulong River (玉龙小河) in Guizhou Province

Detailed Course Characteristics

Niulanjiang flows northward from Songming County, crossing through Xundian County for approximately 70 kilometers before entering Huize County. In Huize County, the river spans 175 kilometers, with a drainage area of 708 square kilometers and an annual water yield of 3.1 billion cubic meters.

Within Ludian County, the river serves as a boundary between Ludian and Qiaojia counties, flowing through Jiangdi Township (江底乡), Huodehong Township (火德红乡), Longtoushan Town (龙头山镇), Lehong Township (乐红乡), and Suoshan Township (梭山乡) for a total length of 110.7 kilometers, with a drop of 579 meters and an average gradient of 8.7‰, providing a hydropower capacity of 1.2 million kW.

The river enters Zhaoyang District, stretching 2.77 kilometers before flowing into the Jinsha River at Mahao Village in Tianba Township.

Geographical Features

The Niulanjiang region is characterized by complex geological structures featuring a mix of north-south and northeast folds, with wide and narrow folds alternating. The area experiences seismic activity with a basic intensity of 7 degrees. The basin is part of the northeastern plateau of Yunnan, with significant topographical variations. The upper reaches of the river, spanning 155 kilometers, flow through Songming and Xundian, characterized by extensive flatlands.

In the middle section, from Deze to the mouth of Shaba River (沙坝河), which stretches 199 kilometers with a drop of 590 meters and an average slope of 3.0‰, the river passes through canyons with elevations approaching 3000 meters on both sides, creating a high mountain gorge landscape. The lower section, from the mouth of Shaba River to the mouth of Niulanjiang, measures about 69 kilometers with a drop of approximately 550 kilometers, also characterized by steep mountains and gorges.

Based on natural conditions, Niulanjiang can be divided into three sections: upstream, midstream, and downstream.

Upstream Section

From the Deze Bridge (德泽大桥) to the mouth of Shaba River, this section spans approximately 155 kilometers with mostly gentle slopes and wide basins. Major agricultural areas are found here, with significant irrigation systems. During dry seasons, the river has low flow, making it unsuitable for hydropower development.

Midstream Section

Extending from Deze Bridge to the mouth of Shaba River, this section is about 199 kilometers long with a drop of 590 meters and an average slope of 3‰. It is the primary area for hydropower development, with reservoir projects such as Huangli Reservoir (黄梨水库) and Xiangbilin Reservoir (象鼻岭水库) being feasible. Concentrated drops allow for efficient water diversion development.

Downstream Section

From the mouth of Shaba River to the mouth of Niulanjiang, this section measures around 69 kilometers with a drop of about 550 kilometers and an average slope of 8‰. The canyon is deeply cut, with high mountains and steep slopes, suitable for water diversion hydropower stations, though development conditions are slightly worse than the midstream section.

The upstream area has convenient transportation with highways, county roads, and railways. Midstream transportation conditions are average, while the downstream area is less accessible, with fewer and lower-grade roads.

Major Tributaries

Key tributaries include Guoma River, Pusha River, Miliang River, Duolong River, Yanglin River, Kuanglang River, Malong River, Xize River, Xiaochang River, as well as Hala River and Yulong River in Guizhou Province.

Malong River

Malong River is a tributary of the upper Niulanjiang, originating from the northern ridge of Walnut Mountain (核桃大山) in Yuewang Township (月望乡), Malong County (马龙县). It flows through various regions, including Songxipo Reservoir (松溪坡水库), Xihai Lake (西海子), and the town of Malong, eventually merging with Niulanjiang in Xundian County.

Yanglin River

Yanglin River, formerly known as Yulong River, is located in the southern part of Songming County. It originates from Laoyeshan Mountain (老爷山) in Guandu District (官渡区) and flows northward from Tian Sheng Bridge (天生桥) to Dahuikou, merging with Guoma River and entering Niulanjiang. This river stretches 19.4 kilometers with a drainage area of 95.3 square kilometers.

Miliang River

Located in central Songming County, Miliang River's name means "a clearing between the valleys" in the Yi language. It flows north from Liangwang Mountain (梁王山) to Jiali (嘉丽泽), merging with Duolong River. The river is 26.5 kilometers long and characterized as a mountain stream with an unstable riverbed.

Duolong River

Formerly known as Yunlong River during the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed due to its flow through Duolong Village (对龙村) in the Republican period. The river has two sources, with the primary one originating from the Laoba Jiu Li Chao area, flowing through Guandu District before entering Songming County and merging with Miliang River.

Kuanglang River

Previously known as Kuanlang River, it was renamed after flowing through Kuanglang (匡郎) and into the main river. The river is rich in local fish and shrimp species.

Xiaochang River

A primary tributary originating from Huangdonghe Village (黄栋河村) and flowing into Xize River. Xiaochang River is renowned for its beautiful scenery and clear waters, featuring deep pools and rapid streams.