The water level of the Poyang Lake, the first largest freshwater lake in China, is gradually rebounding. This is Poyang Lake's re-stepping on a 12m dry water line after 261 days since it fell below 12m on August 6, 2022.

Since late June 2022, Jiangxi suffered a serious drought and the Poyang Lake entered the dry water period. Recently, under the influence of cold air, Jiangxi ushered in widespread rainfall, the water level of many rivers rebounded, reservoir storage increased, and the persistent drought was relieved to some extent.

The Poyang Lake is the water source for aquaculture, agricultural irrigation and residents' drinking water, or the hub of waterway shipping in Jiangxi. After the water level dropped in the dry period, the navigation of vessels in the Poyang Lake gets restricted and some sections of the river are even cut off.

The Poyang Lake, which is known as "Migratory Bird Paradise", has become place where it is difficult for migratory birds to feed because of the lack of water. During 2022 autumn, the Duchang Migratory Bird Nature Reserve improved the habitat of migratory birds through emergency water transfer and replenishment.

The drop of the water level in the dry season also brings the risk of stranding to Yangtze finless porpoise. According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Jiangxi Province disclosed at the end of March this year, since the Poyang Lake entered the extreme drought period in 2022, agricultural and rural departments along the lake implemented emergency baiting and relocation programs to successfully rescue 111 Yangtze finless porpoises.

At present, the rising water level of the Poyang Lake has greatly relieved the agricultural production and drinking water difficulties for some people, and also improved the navigable condition of the lake channel.

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