Daxihaizi Reservoir, reservoir in Xinjiang

Daxihaizi Reservoir is the last dam on the lower Tarim River, in Yuli County, Bayingolin Prefecture, Xinjiang. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' Second Agricultural Division began it in August 1959 and finished the first phase in 1960; by 1972 it held 186 million cubic metres in two basins. After the 2003 Tarim River restoration it became an ecological reservoir: basin one was abandoned, farm irrigation ended, and the design capacity is now 47.39 million cubic metres over 51 square kilometres of water surface.

The reservoir was constructed beginning in 1958 by soldiers of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and completed in 1972. Following its completion, the lower Tarim River dried up in 1972, and nearby Taitema Lake disappeared entirely in 1974, revealing how fragile water balance was in this desert region.

The reservoir lies in Yuli County, about 360 km south of Ürümqi, at 855 m above sea level. It is an ecological water-release facility, not a recreation site; access is by road through desert terrain. The surrounding land is barren, with annual rainfall of only 51 mm, so carry water and sun protection. Water releases are timed to downstream ecological conditions, so check conditions before travelling.

In 2003 the reservoir was reclassified as an "ecological reservoir": the first basin was abandoned and its irrigation role ended. Its designed capacity is now 47.39 million cubic metres with a water surface of 51 square kilometres. Water comes from the Tarim River and transfers from Bosten Lake, released when conditions downstream allow.