Water diverted to wetland in Xiongan New Area
Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:
Two reservoirs in Baoding city, northern China's Hebei Province, have started to supply water to Baiyangdian, a freshwater wetland in the planned Xiongan New Area.
The two large reservoirs -- Wang Kuai and Xidayang in Baoding started diverting water to Baiyangdian on April 5. The water diversion will continue until June 5, the water conservancy bureau of Baoding city said Monday.
After the water diversion, Baiyangdian will receive more than 33 million cubic meters of water to raise its water level by 11 centimeters.
The water from the two reservoirs flowed through four counties and reached Baiyangdian early Monday morning after running 160 km.
The water supply will efficiently improve the water quality and ecosystem of Baiyangdian to provide water resources for the construction of the new area, according to the the bureau.
On April 1, China announced plans to create Xiongan New Area, a sprawling economic zone about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing. The new area spans the counties of Xiongxian, Rongcheng and Anxin in Hebei and is home to Baiyangdian.
Dubbed the "Pearl of North China," Baiyangdian is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in northern China, essential to conserving water for the North China Plain. Endi