Changhu Lake

　　  Changhu Lake is a large, elongated interfluve depression lake formed during the late Song Dynasty from the ancient Yunmeng Marsh. It is a flawless jade bestowed upon the people of Shayang by nature. Historical records state: Changhu Lake was formerly known as Wazi Lake, located about forty kilometers from Shayang’s urban area. It connects upstream to the Dacao River and gathers water from Luba Lake, Zhonghu Lake, and Guanhu Lake, eventually flowing into the Mian River. To its west, the Longkou Water (today’s Taibai Lake) flows in, creating vast, calm waters undisturbed by wind. The Ming Dynasty poet Yuan Zhongdao wrote: “Valleys and hills shift through millennia, yet rivers and plains remain indistinct; Changhu’s hundred-li waters cradle the tomb of the King of Chu.” This is the earliest record of the name Changhu Lake.

　　    Today, Changhu Lake generally refers to Wazi Lake, Taizi Lake, and Haizi Lake. It stretches thirty kilometers from east to west, from Jingzhou’s Zhujiachang and Tianxingguan in the south to Jingzhou’s Longhui Bridge in the west, and from Shayang’s Hudiezui in the east to Shayang’s Hougang and Mao’li in the north. At its widest point, it spans eighteen kilometers from north to south.

　　    The Changhu Lake basin extends north to Beiwao Mountain west of Jingmen City, east to the Third Main Canal of the Zhanghe River, Shayang’s Dalugang and Xijing River, west to the Second Main Canal of the Zhanghe River and Jingjiang Dyke in Jingzhou, and is bounded to the south by the Changhu Reservoir Dyke. It collects water from the Shihuiqiao, Guanyinhe, Guangpinghe, Xijinghe rivers within Shayang County, as well as the Longhuiqiao River in Jingzhou—among which the Shihuiqiao River contributes the largest volume, accounting for half of the total inflow into Changhu Lake. The Changhu Lake basin covers an area of 2,265 square kilometers, about 70% of which lies within Shayang.

　　    The Changhu Lake water system consists of five main rivers: First, the Shihuiqiao River, also known as the ancient Jianyang River or alternatively the Dacao River or Jianshui, originates from Baiguoshu Gully at the foot of Beiwao Mountain west of Jingmen City, converges at Shihuiqiao River, and enters Changhu Lake at Laoguanzui, stretching 112 kilometers in total; second, the Xijing River, the eastern section of the ancient Lisha Canal, originates from Poziwan Mountain Stream in Shuangshi Village, Gaoyang Town, Shayang, merges with inflows from Juanqiao Port and Taping Lake, flows through Gaogao, Lishi, Luhuayuan and Jiyukou in Qianjiang, as well as Fan Chang before entering Changhu Lake, spanning 50 kilometers; third, the Dalugang, which originates from the valleys northwest of Zengji, flows through Qiandawan where it meets Donggang, then flows east to Fujiachang and Fengzhou, enters Pengzhong Lake, and then joins the Xijing River before flowing into Changhu Lake, with a total length of 47 kilometers; fourth, the Guangpinghe, originating from a mountain stream in Zengji, is 28 kilometers long; fifth, the Yangchanghe, originating from Yangchang in Shihuiqiao, is 14 kilometers long. Major lakes include Jieliang Lake, Song Lake, Xiazhi Lake, Yangtie Lake, Taizi Lake, Heliu Lake, and Taping Lake.

　　    Since ancient times to the present, Changhu Lake has served as a golden waterway for navigation between Jingmen, Shayang, Jingzhou, and Shashi, connecting rivers and the Han. It also provides effective flood discharge, irrigation, drainage, and water supply for counties and cities such as Sha, Qian, Jiang, Jian, and Hong. The lake teems with fish, shrimp, water chestnuts, lotus roots, and other aquatic products, and is a habitat for various waterfowl, creating a favorable living environment where local residents live off the lake and thrive on its resources. Since the founding of New China, and especially since the reform and opening-up, successive governments have scientifically planned and vigorously developed the resources of Changhu Lake, maximizing its economic and social benefits. Today, the hundred-li Changhu Lake is not only used for fish farming and drought/flood control, but also serves as the main waterway for dozens of kilometers of the soon-to-be-completed Jianghan Shipping Route.

　　    The shores of Changhu Lake are the birthplace of Chu culture. Large clusters of Chu tombs are distributed around Jishan, Shilipu, and Hougang. In recent years, salvage excavations have unearthed a trove of precious cultural relics, including ancient corpses and bamboo slips, which have caused a sensation both at home and abroad. A wave of Chu cultural tourism development centered around the Jishan Chu King City is now emerging, undoubtedly bringing new opportunities for the deeper development of Changhu Lake. The future Changhu Lake will surely be a treasured land that integrates aquaculture, drought and flood control, water transport, and sightseeing tourism, achieving both economic and social benefits. May this radiant pearl continue to shine over southwestern Shayang, bringing endless wealth and everlasting good fortune to the people of Shayang.