Largest freshwater lake in north China under threat of drought

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 27, 2003

Largest freshwater lake in north China under threat of drought

Baiyangdian, the largest and most famous freshwater lake in north China, is in the process of drying out due to a severe rainfall shortage.

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Baiyangdian, the largest and most famous freshwater lake in north China, is in the process of drying out due to a severe rainfall shortage.

Covering a space of about 370 square kilometers, Baiyangdian, popularly reputed as "the bright pearl of north China," provides clean fresh water to millions of people in Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and helps balance to a large extent regional ecology.

Located in the central part of Hebei province, the lake consists of 143 lakes and has a maximum water level of 9 meters.

However, the water table in the lake has been shrunk to less than 6.5 meters since late August, which indicated the lake was drying up, said a source with the provincial water conservancy department.

The Ministry of Water Resources and relevant departments of Hebei province are striving to work out prompt, effective measures to divert water into the thirsty and dwindling lake.

As a result of consecutive dry spells, water pollution and silt sediments, Baiyangdian dried out five times during a five-year period from 1983 to 1988.

Starting in 1992, Hebei province has diverted water from Xidayang, Wangkuai and other reservoirs to replenish Baiyangdian lake. The lake was listed a provincial level protection zone last year.

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