This study aimed to investigate seasonal reverse flow phenomena in the upstream confluence zone of Paldang Lake, a river-type reservoir. Five field surveys were conducted from 2023 to 2024, focusing on discharge, flow momentum of the North Han River a...
This study aimed to investigate seasonal reverse flow phenomena in the upstream confluence zone of Paldang Lake, a river-type reservoir. Five field surveys were conducted from 2023 to 2024, focusing on discharge, flow momentum of the North Han River and South Han River, as well as vertical profiles of temperature and electrical conductivity at the confluence. Results showed that reverse flow from the South Han River into the North Han occurred consistently across all cases, regardless of momentum dominance, with its spatial extent varying seasonally. In contrast, inflow from the North Han into the South Han was limited and primarily influenced by localized stagnant zones formed by channel curvature, rather than by dynamic reverse flow. Stratified reverse flows were particularly evident under combined conditions of discharge imbalance and thermal contrast, indicating the influence of density gradients. The findings provide a useful foundation for understanding hydraulic complexity and mass movement within compound river confluence systems.