Evaluation of water quality and management of Hongze Lake and Gaoyou Lake along the Grand Canal in Eastern China

Hongze Lake and Gaoyou Lake are the source of water for the Grand Canal and the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Transfer (SNWT) project. With the accelerating pace of construction of the SNWT and the initiative to achieve “World Heritage ” status for the canal, the water quality and management of the lakes have gained attention in China. Based on analysis of water samples, monitoring data, and the content of heavy metal elements in surface sediments, the water quality of Gaoyou Lake and Hongze Lake have been examined. According to the analysis of the water samples taken in 2003, the content of the heavy metals met the water demands for Hongze Lake and Gaoyou Lake. However, monitoring data of 2004 indicate that the water quality of Hongze Lake and Gaoyou Lake both were worse than grade III which cannot meet the required standard. The heavy metal elements of sediment samples also were above the acceptable environmental standard values. Some projects were launched to promote the lake environment by controlling wastewater emissions, standardizing the types of boats and introducing regulations to protect the lakes. However, problems of vertical and horizontal fragmentation and insufficient public participation in the current management system still exist in the area. Considering the problems confronting the lakes, Integrated Water Resource Management is discussed as an effective approach to overcome the problems.

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