Lake Eric

Lake Eric is located in Wuerhe District of Karamay City, adjacent to the world ghost city, 117 km away from Karamay City. Lake Erik is a natural freshwater lake formed by river water, with an area of 50 square kilometers, a length of 12.4 kilometers, an average width of 3.5 kilometers, and a depth of about 7 meters in the center of the lake. Lake Eric is an inland lake. Baiyang River flows into Lake Eric from Wuerhe basin through the mouth of Grand Canyon. The shape of the lake is like an ellipse, with reeds growing on the bank, and the lake basin is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Erik Mongolian means sour milk. Long ago, there were herdsmen herding here to make yoghurt and dried milk, so it was named Erik lake. There are loach, carp, wudaohei and other wild fish, and yellow sheep, wild boar, shuita swan, wild duck and other wild animals also inhabit and settle in the lake area. The special amusement projects in Lake Eric include rafting, fishing, swimming, fish feast, bumper boat, speedboat, etc. Located 16 kilometers southeast of the devil city scenic spot in Wuerhe District, Karamay, Xinjiang, the lake has a total area of about 70 square kilometers and a water capacity of 250 million cubic meters. It is formed by the Baiyang River of wurkasher mountain, which originates from the western mountains of Junggar. According to the records of Xinjiang atlas, Lake Erik has existed for at least 1300 years and is the only lake in Karamay. "Eric" means "yogurt" in Mongolian. After lake Erik dried up, the groundwater level of Wuerhe decreased from 2 meters to 14 meters, resulting in grassland degradation, large areas of Populus euphratica forest died, and more than 20 square kilometers of reed belt dried up. The residents of Hubin new village and the staff of the military reclamation regiment near the lake were unable to live and produce, so they were forced to move. As a result, a large area of desert appeared in the lake area which lost the natural green barrier. The semi mobile sand dunes in Gurbantunggut Desert approached the devil City scenic spot step by step.

Lake Eric

Located 16 kilometers southeast of Wuerhe devil city scenic spot in Xinjiang, Lake Erik is formed by the collection of Baiyang River. "Eric" means yogurt in Mongolian. Lake Erik has existed for at least 1300 years and is the only lake in Karamay. The lake area is full of rippling water, reeds, fish and birds, wild boar and yellow sheep, trees and farmland, which naturally form a beautiful picture of desert lake. Therefore, it is known as a pearl in the Gobi desert.

geographical position

Erik lake is located 16 kilometers southeast of Wuerhe devil city scenic spot in Karamay, Xinjiang, with a total area of 1

It covers an area of about 70 square kilometers and has a water capacity of 250 million cubic meters. It is formed by the Baiyang River of wurkasher mountain, which originates from the western mountainous area of Junggar. According to the records of Xinjiang atlas, Lake Erik has existed for at least 1300 years, ranking 20th among the Great Lakes in Xinjiang, and is the only lake in Karamay.

natural resources

Lake Eric is a lake with green waves, reeds, fish leaping, birds singing and fishing boats singing late. In the south, there are green grass, cattle and sheep everywhere, cooking smoke curling and yurt forest; in the north, the vast Gurbantunggut Desert is rolling, with Populus euphratica and willows curling. Wild fish are all over the lake, and waterfowls are singing in the lakeside wetland. The lake area is the only breeding place for Chinese Yunshi spotted duck. The surrounding area is a hundred Li Caishi beach, where green suddenly stops. Looking up, there are colorful agate and Gobi jade, as well as strange stones with different shapes. People praise Lake Eric as "a pearl in the Gobi desert".

There is an asphalt road leading from the ghost city to the lake. On the East Bank of the lake, the old locust trees and the cottages full of grass give visitors a heavy feeling of old age. Standing in the corner of Hunan Province, the sand dunes of Gurbantunggut Desert are rolling up and down, which is amazing. Standing in Hunan Province, Mongolian girls are selling yogurt and fishermen are rowing boats Rural scenery. Especially in Caishi beach, which is a few kilometers around, agates and stones of different shapes are scattered around; in Hubei, swans, egrets, wild ducks and many water birds inhabit in wetlands and green reeds. The lake Eric scenic spot, which has not been developed, still maintains its natural and simple landscape.

Historical legend

A long time ago, when Genghis Khan's Mongolian army marched to the west, a small cavalry unit lost its way in the desert. Just when they were almost desperate, a soldier suddenly said, "there was an old horse who knew the way in history. Let's see if the old horse can take us out of the desperate situation."

After a few turns in the same place, the reined old horse suddenly trotted toward the northwest corner. The small team did not give up and did not know how long it had been. Finally, they found the green lake in front of them. They rode the horse, raised their whip, and rushed into the lake with people and horses. They drank enough water. After a while, a soldier asked, where is this? What's the name of this lake? Everyone looked at each other, but no one could tell.

After the Mongolian soldiers landed, they walked along the lake. There was a forest in the distance. There were several yurts on the edge of the forest. An old woman came out of the yurt. The Mongolians were naturally hospitable. The old woman brought out the yoghurt that had just been made. These Mongolian soldiers were not polite either. They took up the bowl and drank it all at once. A soldier wiped his mouth and said, "this yoghurt is as good as the lake water I just drank." "And this lake is called Lake Eric?" Another soldier said, the Mongolian soldiers all laughed. Lake Eric got its name from this. "Eric" means "yogurt" in Mongolian.

The Mongolian soldiers continued on their way. After meeting with the army, Tian Zhijia told their legendary experience, saying that the lake had turned into yogurt, and the shore was a colorful road paved with jewelry. The reputation of Lake Erik spread in the Mongolian army, and spread to the Mongolian army everywhere, to find treasure in Lake Erik has become a dream of some people. However, the victorious Mongolian army did not find Lake Erik, and the allusion of "old horse knows his way" failed this time. Some people say that lake Eric disappeared in order to avoid being plundered. Others say that in order to protect Lake Eric, God made the old horse become a fool. So for a long time no one could find Lake Eric again. The truth of history is submerged in the long river of time, only the legend has been handed down.

Lake changes

Once disappeared

The Pearl of Lake Eric once disappeared. With the increase of water for production and living in Karamay, the water from Baiyang River to Lake Eric was cut off. In 1989, huangyangquan reservoir, the third reservoir in the upper reaches of Lake Eric, was built, which completely cut off the water source of Lake Eric. Lake Eric, which was not supplemented by river water, finally dried up in 1995. After lake Erik dried up, the groundwater level of Wuerhe decreased from 2 meters to 14 meters, resulting in grassland degradation, large areas of Populus euphratica forest died, and more than 20 square kilometers of reed belt dried up. The residents of Hubin new village and the staff of the military reclamation regiment near the lake were unable to live and produce, so they were forced to move. As a result, a large area of desert appeared in the lake area which lost the natural green barrier. The semi mobile sand dunes in Gurbantunggut Desert approached the devil City scenic spot step by step.

Miracle again

In addition to restoring wetland ecology through water injection, artificial tree and grass planting has also been carried out in Lake Eric. Ten thousand trees and 3000 mu of grass are planted. The 45000 Mu Populus euphratica forest in the area was irrigated, and about 5000 mu of vegetation survived. Every autumn, the golden Populus euphratica will dazzle the sky and bring pure beauty to people's hearts; by 2008, the wetland area has reached 339.33 square kilometers, which has become an important ecological function area supporting the development of Wuerhe district and Karamay City, a base for biodiversity and cultural protection, and an important scenic spot and ecotourism area of Karamay City.

However, Lake Eric is worthy of being called a magical lake. After disappearing for nearly five years, it miraculously reappeared. Of course, the miracle is created by Karamay people. In order to ensure the sustainable development of Karamay City, Karamay City, Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau and oilfield company, with the support of the Chinese government, spent 3 billion yuan for four years to build a 445 km long open channel to draw water from the 635 water conservancy project, resulting in a net increase of 400 million cubic meters of water resources in Karamay This makes it possible to save Lake Eric. In August 2000, the Karamay water diversion project was completed, and the water diversion project became the main water supply source of Karamay City. Therefore, the Baiyang River can only have excess flood into Lake Eric in flood period. Since the water diversion project was put into operation, 30-120 million cubic meters of water have entered Lake Eric every year. The water area has reached more than 50 square kilometers. The annual water flow reaches 40 million cubic meters, which is basically balanced with the evaporation. To gradually restore the ecological environment of Lake Eric, and finally restore the original natural features of Wuerhe district.

Current situation and development

Through the management of the lake area, the lost species of wild fish came back, the wild animals and all kinds of birds once again inhabited and settled in the lake area, the Yunshi spotted duck came back, the large-scale Pelican with full webbed feet also came, and it became a transit station for migratory birds trekking thousands of miles. Every morning and evening, the birds danced, and the clouds were like water, which was very spectacular. Now the lake is lush with reeds, fish leaping and birds singing, and the shore is beautiful There are many trees, many tourists, clear lake water, reflected clouds and sky, fishing boats come with waves, which startles gulls. It can produce nearly 400 tons of fish every year, which are sold to Karamay, Urumqi, Tacheng and other areas. At the end of 2006, it will be sold to other areas

Chinese PinYin : Ai Li Ke Hu