Poyang Lake Size report
Poyang Lake, located north of Jiangxi Province, spans Jiujiang, Nanchang, and Shangrao cities. It is the largest freshwater lake in China and the second-largest lake in China after Qinghai Lake. As one of the main tributaries of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Poyang Lake is also a water-passing, seasonal lake in the Yangtze River Basin.
Poyang Lake is mainly supplied by Ganjiang River, Xiuhe River, Xinjiang River, Raohe River, Fuhe River, and other water sources. The lake plays a huge role in regulating the water level of the Yangtze River, conserving water sources, improving the local climate, and maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding areas.
The fluctuation of the water level is affected by the inflow and the water level of the Yangtze River. It has unique natural characteristics and therefore breeds rich biodiversity. It is an important water ecological security barrier in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, an internationally important wetland, and the only Chinese member of the World Life Lakes Network.
Size And Description Of Poyang Lake
Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in my country. It is supplied by five principal rivers, namely Ganjiang River, Fuhe River, Raohe River, Xinjiang River, and Xiuhe River, respectively, from the west, south, and southeast, and then into the Yangtze River. The water level of Poyang Lake varies greatly during the flood and dry seasons every year. The dry season is every year from October to March of the following year. Lakes of various shapes are dotted, grasslands and wetlands are green, and fish, shrimp, snails, mussels, and various aquatic plants are abundant. It is a paradise for migratory birds to live in the winter. In 1980, the Poyang Lake Nature Reserve was established with 35,000 hectares. In 1988, the Poyang Lake Migratory Bird National Nature Reserve was established with 22,400 hectares.
Poyang Lake Size
At the flat water level (14-15 meters), the lake area is 3,150 square kilometers. At the high water level (20 meters), the lake area can reach more than 4,125 square kilometers, but at the low water level (12 meters), it is only 500 square kilometers. When the water level is at its highest, the lake is about 170 kilometers long and 74 kilometers wide at its widest point.
| Features | Size |
|---|---|
| Flat water level | 14-15 m |
| Normal size | 3,150 sq km |
| High water level | 20 m |
| Larger size | 4,125 sq km |
| Low water level | 12 m |
| Smaller size | 500 sq km |
Hydrology
Poyang Lake is a usual huff and puff type, seasonal shallow lake. The runoff in the Poyang Lake basin is replenished by precipitation, and the water level and lake area vary greatly throughout the year. Poyang Lake is the catchment center of the basin. It is only connected with the Yangtze River at the mouth of the lake, which controls the water volume balance between the basin and the Yangtze River. The average annual runoff in and out of the lake is 150.9 billion cubic meters. It not only receives water from the five major rivers in the basin but also has 14 rivers of more than 30 kilometers around the lake area that flow directly into the lake and also receives water from the Yangtze River under certain circumstances.
Ecology
The Poyang Lake National Wetland covers an area of 365 square kilometers, located in the northwest corner of Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. There are nine freshwater lakes and surrounding swamps and wet grasslands in reserve. It is an ideal wintering place for countless migratory birds worldwide, with lush water plants and numerous fish and shrimp every winter. The main aquatic plants in Poyang Lake are bitter weeds, sagebrush, green algae, blue-green algae, and only a small area of reed.
According to the survey, there are 258 species of birds in the whole area, of which 9 are national first-class protected animals, and 32 are national second-class protected animals. It is the largest wintering place for white cranes in the world. This wintering area is also home to the largest group of wintering geese ever discovered in the world. The reserve has gradually become an important base for the protection and research of birds worldwide. The lake is also home to the endangered finless porpoise, a freshwater mammal known for its high level of intelligence.
Final Words
Southern China’s Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the country. For the human population, Poyang is also one of China’s most important rice-producing regions, although local inhabitants must contend with massive seasonal changes in water levels. The lake is one of the most important stopover sites for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, providing winter habitat for hundreds of thousands who feed and breed on the riches of the wetlands as the water retreats. You will see some unique animal and plant species in the world in Poyang Lake Scenic Spot.
