The Sanmenxia Project

China's first major water conservancy project on the Yellow River since 1949

stands as one of the most iconic engineering achievements of the 1950s. Its construction and operation have profoundly shaped the trajectory of Yellow River governance

offering invaluable lessons for decision-making on large-scale water infrastructure

the management of highly sediment-laden rivers

and coordination of cross-regional interests. Drawing upon a systematic review of the projects historical development and operational phases

this paper highlights its pivotal role in flood and ice-flood control

irrigation and water supply

and water-sediment regulation. Furthermore

it examines how practical experience with the Sanmenxia project has driven the evolving understanding of the natural laws governing Yellow River management. Based on these historical insights

the paper proposes several key implications for future endeavors: respecting natural laws

adhering to systematic governance

enhancing risk assessment mechanisms

and dynamically optimizing the functional positioning of engineering projects. These findings provide critical references for the planning and construction of major water infrastructure today

ultimately supporting the broader goals of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.