Silver Carp from Nanwan Lake

Silver Carp from Nanwan Lake

Silver Carp from Nanwan Lake is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Nanwan Lake is like a dazzling pearl set in the vibrant landscape of Xinyang. Also known as the Nanwan Reservoir, it has a total storage capacity of 1.63 billion cubic meters, stretching 50 kilometers from north to south and 20 kilometers from east to west, covering a water area of 75 square kilometers. It is a large-scale reservoir primarily designed for flood control and irrigation, while also serving functions such as power generation, aquaculture, shipping, urban water supply, and ecological tourism development. Over its 55 years of operation, the reservoir has delivered significant socioeconomic benefits in areas such as flood control, irrigation, power generation, aquaculture, urban water supply, and tourism. It stands as the first major water conservancy project built in Xinyang after the founding of New China and is also a major ecological highlight of Nanwan. As the sole source of drinking water for Xinyang City, Nanwan Lake is considered the city residents' "big water tank."

　　The construction of the Nanwan Reservoir created 100,000 mu of suitable fish farming waters. Classified as a mesotrophic reservoir, it is home to a rich diversity of natural fish species, spanning 6 orders, 11 families, 28 subfamilies, and 32 genera. Key economic fish include silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, and common carp, along with premium varieties such as silver carp, catfish, mandarin fish, and yellowhead catfish, transforming the Nanwan Reservoir basin into a true “land of fish and rice.” The lake’s renowned “Nanwan Fish” and “Nanwan Shrimp” are celebrated across Central China and are recognized as protected geographical indication products.