A framework for national water network construction planning and benefit evaluation based on regional water balance

In the context of escalating challenges from both conventional and emerging water security issues， the imbalance of water resources has become a critical bottleneck restricting high-quality national development and high-level ecological protection. Constructing a national water network system based on regional water balance is a core approach to addressing the contradictions between water supply and demands and achieving spatial equilibrium. This is strategically significant for enhancing water resource carrying capacity and promoting harmonious coexistence between human and nature. This paper， grounded in the context of national water network construction and the theory of regional water balance， proposes principles for building a national water network based on regional water balance. It elaborates on the planning blueprint for water network engineering from multiple aspects， including planning objectives and key supporting systems. At the same time， this paper systematically summarizes and consolidates the dimensions and main content of the benefit assessment for constructing a national water network based on regional water balance. It categorizes the relevant research methods into comprehensive evaluation methods， correlation analysis methods， coupling measurement methods， quantitative calculation methods， model simulation methods， and integrated application methods. Furthermore， it explores the future application prospects of benefit assessment research. The results provide theoretical support for further refining the theory of regional water balance and optimizing the planning of the national water network construction.