6.3.6

Case Study: Water Transfer in China

Test yourself

China's South-North Water Transfer Scheme

The Chinese government is building the infrastructure to divert 44.8bn cubic metres of water from the south of China to the north of China annually.

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Advantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme

  • China does not have much water in the north of the country. Redirecting the water via the Grand Canal, the Han River, and the Yangtze River will move water from an area with a water surplus to an area with a water deficit.
  • There should be fewer or no water shortages in the north of China (including the capital city Beijing).
  • China's food production can become more efficient if its farmland gets better irrigation.
Illustrative background for Disadvantages of China's Water Transfer SchemeIllustrative background for Disadvantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme ?? "content

Disadvantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme

  • By 2014, $79bn had been spent on the project. It was not yet finished and this was over the original budget.
  • Over 330,000 people's homes have been destroyed by the project because of the flooding, dams, and canals.
  • Some farmers have claimed that the Yangtze River's pollution was now flowing into local lakes.
  • Animals' natural habitats and many ecosystems have been flooded.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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