Water was released from a reservoir in May 2005 to restore the wetland of international importance at Zhalong, China. As a result, the water level on the floodplain rose rapidly. A pair of Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) was observed raising their nest to avoid submersion and loss of eggs. The nest and two eggs were tended by both adults, but the eggs did not hatch. Hatching failure may have resulted from low egg temperatures due to addition of wet and new nesting materials, and reduction of incubation time during the flooding event. Reservoir discharge should avoid the breeding period of waterbirds and discharge rates should be reduced.