通过对马莲河流域深人调查研究,在马莲河下游峡谷峭壁发现了一组4个显著的洪痕.通过对洪痕沉积物分析,表明马莲河洪水悬移质泥沙以粉沙为主,粘粒和沙粒含量都较低,磁化率值也很低.将这些数据与流域内马家原剖面黄土土壤的的分析结果对比,可知马莲河现代洪痕沉积物是暴雨洪水对于流域内黄土和土壤侵蚀、搬运沉积形成.采用面积——比降法对该组洪痕所记录的4次洪水事件进行了洪峰流量恢复计算.表明高于常水位3.3m,5.5m,6.7m洪痕洪峰流量分别为1170m^3/s,4060m^3/s,5690m^3/s.它们与雨落坪水文站观测2005、2003、1977年的洪水洪峰流量值相当,误差小于5%.最高洪痕高出常水位10-12m,计算恢复其洪峰流量为13980m^3/s,洪水发生年代为1841年(清代道光21年).这些研究结果对于马莲河流域的防洪减灾、水利水电工程设计和水土流失防治具有重要科学意义.
A further study of Malian River found that there were four noticeable mud cracks in the cliff of the low reaches of Malian River. Analysis showed that they were rich in silt, but poor in clay, sand and magnetic susceptibility. Comparison of these data and the analysis of soil profile along Majiayuan on the loess plateau revealed that the modern mud cracks in Malian River were formed by soil erosion and sediment transport from storm floods. Discharge of 4 recorded flood peaks were calculated by the slope area method. Result indicated that the discharges of flood peaks, which were 3. 3m, 5. 5m and 6. 7m higher than ordinary water level, were 1170m^3/s, 4060m^3/s and 5690m^3/s respectively. These were similar to those recorded in 1977, 2003 and 2005 at Yuluoping Hydrometric Station, the error is smaller that 5%. The discharge of flood peak of the highest mud crack, 10-12m higher than the ordinary water level, was estimated to be at 13980m^3/s, which took place in 18421. This research is of great significance in flood prevention and disaster alleviation, hydraulic and hydroelectric engineering design as well as the prevention and control of soil erosion in Malian River .