Lake Tai is in the Jiangsu province and the southern shore forms its border with Zhejiang. With an area of about 2,250 square kilometers (869 sq mi) and an average depth of 2 meters (6.6 ft.), it is the third-largest freshwater lake in China. In recent years, the lake is renowned for its unique lime stones formations. These "Taihu stones" are often prized as a decorating material for traditional Chinese gardens.
The lake is the cause of many rivers and is connected to the famous Grand Canal. It has over 219 inflow rivers but has three main inflows, the Yangtze river, The East China Sea and Hangzhou Bay. Rainfall is very abundant and there is an annual flooding season.
The lake can be used for drinking, agriculture and as well as many forms of entertainment and tourist attractions. The lake is also known for its productive fishing industry and is often occupied by fleets of small private fishing boats. Since the late 1970s, harvesting seafood products such as fish and crabs has been very valuable to people living along the lake and has contributed significantly to the economy of the surrounding area.
This lake provides water for more than 60 million people in cities such as Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai, one of China's biggest cities.
However, all these were put on hold due to the pollution in Lake Tai. Since 1980, the algae had turned the water murky green and fish everywhere are dying. Click the button to learn more about the causes.
The lake is the cause of many rivers and is connected to the famous Grand Canal. It has over 219 inflow rivers but has three main inflows, the Yangtze river, The East China Sea and Hangzhou Bay. Rainfall is very abundant and there is an annual flooding season.
The lake can be used for drinking, agriculture and as well as many forms of entertainment and tourist attractions. The lake is also known for its productive fishing industry and is often occupied by fleets of small private fishing boats. Since the late 1970s, harvesting seafood products such as fish and crabs has been very valuable to people living along the lake and has contributed significantly to the economy of the surrounding area.
This lake provides water for more than 60 million people in cities such as Wuxi, Suzhou and Shanghai, one of China's biggest cities.
However, all these were put on hold due to the pollution in Lake Tai. Since 1980, the algae had turned the water murky green and fish everywhere are dying. Click the button to learn more about the causes.
To see a video about Lake Tai's pollution, click on this link.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/14/world/asia/choking_on_growth_3.html?_r=0#story3
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/14/world/asia/choking_on_growth_3.html?_r=0#story3