Hongzehu Lakes

Hongjehu is the youngest of the five great freshwater lakes in China. It ranks fourth on this list, although it could only claim to be in the top ranks in the 12th century, when the deep Yellow River changed its course and sent its waters into the lake. Before that, the natural freshwater reservoir was 4 times smaller.

The area varies greatly depending on the season and water level regulation. It can reach up to 2,069 km2 during high water, and decrease to about 1,000 km2 during the dry season.
The length is approximately 65 km (maximum).
The width is up to 37 km.
The average depth is relatively small, about 1.5 m.

The lake has an irregular shape in the form of several arms directed to different sides of the world. In the deepest place, the distance from the bottom to the surface of the water is only 5.5 meters. This feature, however, does not prevent Hongjehu from being considered one of the main lakes in China.

A large freshwater reservoir is perhaps the most significant fishing area in China. Hongjie Lake is located in the transition zone between a warm temperate and subtropical climate, so it has very favorable conditions for the existence of many species of plants and animals. Torrential rains often occur in the vicinity of the lake. The average annual temperature here is kept at +15 ° C, and the increased humidity softens the already small fluctuations.

Perch, eels, Chinese crabs and shrimps are harvested here, as well as specially bred herring, carp, crucian carp, bream, several species of carp, scorpion fish, as well as snails, turtles and other aquatic inhabitants. Some of the catch is used on the domestic market, and some is exported. The local population actively collects water chestnuts and lotus roots from the vegetation of the reservoir. These valuable plants are used for food and are even considered delicacies. By the way, connoisseurs of delicious and healthy food gather annually on the shores of Hongjie Lake at the Golden Autumn Crab for Gourmets Festival.

The surroundings of Hongjehu Lake are an important place for a large number of migratory birds to stop and overwinter. Ornithologists annually count over 140 species of birds that have fallen in love with the beautiful and forage-rich Hongjehu Lake and have built nests here or stopped to rest on long-distance flights. Among the many species, there are 9 quite rare ones. The crowned crane and the great bustard, for example, are listed in the International Red Book and are protected by an international convention signed by China.

Despite the conservation status of the reservoir, human activity near it has not stopped. The fields of the coastal plains of Jiangsu Province are irrigated with water from Hongjie Lake, and the lake is also used for hydroelectric power generation.

The coastal part of the lake is a great place to relax. Both lovers of civilized tourism and those who wish to observe birds in natural conditions come here. The first ones go to the eastern shore of the reservoir. It is bound by a stone embankment, the length of which is 67 kilometers. And others — to the northwest coast of Hongtsehu. In 2006, this area became a National Wetland Reserve. The protected area stretches for 16.7 square kilometers.

To control the water level in the lake, China has built an entire system of hydraulic structures. Dams, locks, and embankments allow the reservoir to be contained within its usual boundaries and allow rivers to replenish lakes to optimal levels. The largest Sanhe Dam (three rivers) is located where the Huaihe flows into Hongjie Lake.

The Hongjehu wetlands were artificially connected to a Large Canal that runs from north to south 20 kilometers east of the lake. This channel also has access to the East China Sea, the coast of which is located 160 kilometers east of the reservoir.

It would seem that such an important freshwater reservoir as Hongtze simply has to be protected from factors that can lead to its death or to a violation of the ecological balance. But in fact, over the past two decades alone, the lake has experienced several crisis situations.

Oil-producing enterprises located on its territories pose a danger to the purity of lake waters. In 2003, the reservoir was already one step away from an environmental disaster. Then, due to heavy rains, the Huaihe River overflowed, and 250 oil wells were flooded. And two years earlier, the western part of the lake, on the contrary, was almost shallow and became non-navigable. Due to the drought, the groundwater level replenishing Hongjehu dropped by 2 centimeters daily. This trend continued for several months, which made local residents and environmentalists seriously concerned about the fate of the reservoir.