If you’ve been to Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, you’ll be blown away by its “filtered” lake water – turquoise blue pools, emerald seas, and silver-chained waterfalls. …… But have you ever wondered where all this amazing water comes from? Have you ever wondered where these amazing water features actually come from? Today, we will unveil the water source code behind this “fairy tale world”.
I. Alpine snow: Jiuzhaigou’s “natural water tower.”
The story of Jiuzhaigou’s water source begins with the 5,588-meter-high Xuebao Ding. This year-round snow-covered mountain is like a giant water tower, silently guarding Jiuzhaigou’s water system lifeline. Every spring and summer, the sunlight melts the snow on top of the mountain into clear springs that flow down the mountain streams and eventually into Jiuzhaigou’s 108 lakes (locally known as “haizi”).
Interestingly, the snowmelt water here is not ordinary “tap water”. As it flows through rock formations rich in calcium carbonate, the water dissolves a large number of minerals, creating a unique calcareous landscape. The stepped waterfalls and the terraced edges of the lakes you see are the result of tens of thousands of years of calcareous deposits.
II. Underground rivers: the invisible “aqueducts”.
If the mountain snow is Jiuzhaigou’s “bright water source”, then the underground river system is its “hidden egg”. Geologists have found that the Minshan Mountains, where Jiuzhaigou is located, are covered with karst landscapes, and the underground is like a huge sponge, storing a constant flow of groundwater.
The most typical example is Changhai, the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou, which has no outlet but never dries up. The secret lies in the network of fissures hidden at the bottom of the lake, through which groundwater is quietly replenished to the downstream spots such as the Colorful Pool and Pearl Beach. This subtle underground water conservancy system is like an automatic irrigation device designed by nature.
III. Forests and rainfall: the tacit cooperation of ecosystems
Jiuzhaigou’s virgin forests cover 63.5% of the area, and these “green guardians” play a key role in the water cycle. The dense canopy can retain 30% of rainfall, and the layer of dead branches and leaves absorbs water like a sponge, preventing soil erosion and slowly releasing water.
The average annual rainfall in the area is about 760 millimeters, mainly concentrated from May to September. If you come to Jiuzhaigou at this time of year, you will see waterfalls that are particularly spectacular – Pearl Beach Falls can be up to 270 meters wide, with a flow of more than 5 cubic meters per second, and a roar that can be heard up to 1 kilometer away. In turn, this rainwater is filtered through the forest and becomes a high-quality recharge for the groundwater.
IV. Glacial Remains: A Gift from Ancient Times
You may not realize that Jiuzhaigou’s water source is also related to the Ice Age. Scientists have discovered a large number of glacial remains in the scenic area, such as U-shaped valleys, ice buckets and other landforms. The melting of these glaciers tens of thousands of years ago not only shaped the topography of Jiuzhaigou, but the deep underground water formed by their infiltration is still in effect today.
The most amazing thing is the Five Flowers Sea – a lake known as the “essence of Jiuzhaigou”, at the bottom of which lie a large number of ancient trees that have not completely decomposed. The tree trunks are wrapped in calcium, and under the refraction of the sunlight, they show the variegated colors of peacock feathers, which is a miracle created by the glacial movement and the water flow together.
V. Water Challenges under Climate Change
With global warming, Jiuzhaigou’s water system is facing a test. Monitoring data shows that the glacier area of Xuebodeng has decreased by 15% in the past 30 years, and the snow melted 2 weeks earlier than 20 years ago. the extreme drought in the summer of 2022 led to the bottom of the Sea of Sparks for a while, which made scientists pay more attention to ecological protection.
The good news is that the local authorities have taken positive measures: limiting the flow of 41,000 people per day, dismantling facilities that do not meet environmental standards, and setting up a real-time monitoring system for water quality. the new high-speed railway to be opened in 2024 has adopted a fully enclosed toilet collector, avoiding direct contamination of the water source.
VI. Symbiotic Wisdom of People and Water
The Tibetan villages in Jiuzhaigou have inherited a unique “holy water culture”. In Shuzhengzhai, you will find that all the buildings are distributed along the contour line, avoiding the threat of flash floods and giving every family equal access to water. The locals do not throw anything into the lake, and even use barley wine to sacrifice to the mountain gods, thankful for the gift of nature.
This reverence also affects modern management. Scenic area can not see a water pipeline, all the water from the mountain tributaries; excursion trails using overhead design, minimize the interference with the water body. Just as the evaluation of UNESCO: “This place shows the perfect model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.”
Conclusion: A flowing blue wonder
From the tops of snowy peaks to underground dark rivers, from ancient glaciers to modern rainforests, Jiuzhaigou uses a multi-layered water system to weave the earth’s most moving blue music. The next time you stand in front of the Sea of Mirrors and watch the reflection of the snow-capped mountains gently swaying on the surface of the lake, don’t forget that this is not only a visual treat, but also a symphony of water sources that transcends time and space. Protect this gift, in order to let the “fairy tale world” will always flow with the miracle of life.
