ObjectiveThe pollution caused by municipal pumping stations releasing rivers during rainy days has become one of the main factors affecting the sustained and stable improvement of river water quality in the central urban area of Shanghai. In order to reduce the impact of pumping stations on the water environment of rivers, relevant research has been carried out on the elimination of pollution caused by pumping stations discharging water into the river in the central area of Shanghai based on sluice scheduling. This study can provide technical support for promoting the continuous and stable improvement of river water quality and creating a "happy river and lake" that satisfies the people.MethodsBased on comprehensive foundational data, this study constructed a high-precision integrated hydraulic model of Suzhou Creek and its municipal pumping stations along the riverbanks, and conducted calibration and validation of the model using measured data. Multiple operational scenarios were designed by considering factors including sluice gate regulation capacity, tidal fluctuations, and rainfall characteristics, with the objective of rapidly restoring water quality in discharge zones following stormwater release. Through multi-scenario comparative analysis using the model, optimized pump-gate operation strategies applicable to diverse rainfall scenarios were proposed.ResultsModel simulation analysis demonstrated that under the optimized operation strategy, Suzhou Creek achieved greater daily average discharge capacity, enhanced water exchange efficiency, and a significantly shortened duration of water quality impacts induced by pumping station discharges. Taking the heavy rainfall scenario as an example, Suzhou Creek's daily discharge volume under the optimized strategy doubles compared to current levels, reaching 4.49 million m³. The water renewal cycle is reduced from 2.47 days to 1.08 days, while the duration of water quality impacts caused by pumping station discharges can be shortened by over 30%.ConclusionThrough integrated analysis of historical data and model simulation validation, the optimized sluice gate operation strategy proposed in this study for post-discharge scenarios at municipal pumping stations along Suzhou Creek demonstrates operational feasibility without flood prevention warning or rainstorm warning, achieving rapid pollution mitigation following pumping station discharges.