Hongyashan Reservoir, Stausee in der Volksrepublik China
Hongyashan Reservoir is the largest desert reservoir in Asia and is located in Minqin County in Gansu Province, situated between two major deserts. It covers about 25 square kilometers when full and serves as a critical water source for irrigation and controlling desert expansion in the region.
The reservoir was built in 1958 to supply water to the region after the nearby Qingtu Lake dried up in 1959 from overuse. Since 2001, water has been diverted from the Yellow River to replenish it and combat desertification.
The reservoir has reshaped the landscape around Minqin and is now a place where birds gather and nature returns. Visitors can observe how the water surface has transformed the otherwise dry surroundings and how farmers use it to bring their fields back to life.
The reservoir has varying water levels throughout the year depending on rainfall and seasonal changes, so visitors should expect variable conditions. The best time to visit is after rainy periods when water levels are higher and the surrounding landscape appears greener.
Tens of thousands of migratory water birds arrive here particularly in spring and summer, using the area as a vital stopover point. This unexpected bird activity demonstrates how the region has ecologically recovered through the return of water.
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