Hongze Lake

Hongze Lake

Hongze Lake, the fourth largest freshwater lake in China. It is located in the lower reaches of the Huai River in western Jiangsu Province. Originally a cluster of shallow small lakes, it was known as Fuling Lake in ancient times, later referred to as Pofutang after the Han dynasties, Hongzepu during the Sui Dynasty, and was first named Hongze Lake during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). After 1128, when the Yellow River shifted its course southward through the Si River and took over the lower reaches of the Huai River below Huaiyin to flow into the sea, the Huai River lost its outlet to the sea. Water accumulated east of Xuyi, and the original small lakes expanded into what is now Hongze Lake.

Hongze Lake is located in the lower reaches of the Huai River in western Jiangsu Province. Originally a cluster of shallow small lakes, it was known as Fuling Lake in ancient times, later referred to as Pofutang after the Han dynasties, Hongzepu during the Sui Dynasty, and was first named Hongze Lake during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). After 1128, when the Yellow River shifted its course southward through the Si River and took over the lower reaches of the Huai River below Huaiyin to flow into the sea, the Huai River lost its outlet to the sea. Water accumulated east of Xuyi, and the original small lakes expanded into what is now Hongze Lake. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the lake has been entirely protected by the Hongze Lake Dyke, forming a "hanging lake." Currently, the normal water level of Hongze Lake is 12.5 meters, covering an area of 2,069 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of 5.5 meters. During flood seasons or in years of heavy rainfall, the water level can rise to 15.5 meters, and the area can expand to 3,500 square kilometers. In recent years, the Hongze Lake Dyke has been reinforced, raising the flood prevention standard to 16 meters. The lake water mainly drains into Gaoyou Lake via the Sanhe River, then flows through Shaobo Lake into the Li Canal, and eventually into the Yangtze River at Sanjiangying, forming the main outflow channel to the river. In the past, poor drainage and neglected dikes led to severe flooding. After 1949, the massive Sanhe Sluice was built, the outflow channel to the Yangtze was improved, and the Hongze Lake Dyke was reinforced. In 1952, the Subei Irrigation Main Canal was constructed east of Gaoliangjian, stretching 168 kilometers to irrigate the Li-Xia Plain and also serve as a flood discharge channel. Lake water can also be discharged through the Erhe Sluice via the Yangzhuang Water Control Hub into the Zhongshan River (also known as the New Huai River) and then into the sea. Between 1958 and 1960, the Huai-Shu River was added, diverting water from Hongze Lake northward via the Yangzhuang Hub to Shuyang, where it enters the XinYi River. In 2003, the Huai River Outfall Channel was opened, extending downstream from the Erhe Sluice and discharging into the sea along the northern bank of the Subei Irrigation Main Canal.

Admission Fee

Free

Location

Southern tip of a 51-li-long peninsula extending from the town center of Gaodu toward the center of the lake