Hungtse Hu

a lake in East China, on the North China Plain. The Hungtse Hu was formed between 1403 and 1424 as a result of the construction on the Grand Canal of a dike blocking the flow of the Huai Ho. The lake has an area of 3,180 sq km and ranges in depth from 3 to 4 m; it contains 11.1 cu km of water. During the winter, the water level drops, causing the lake to decrease sharply in both area and volume.

The Hungtse Hu is connected with Kaoyu Lake by the San Ho. Most of the drainage from the Hungtse Hu passes through the Grand Canal system to the Yangtze River. An irrigation canal connects the lake with the Yellow Sea. Dams control the lake’s waters. Marshes and rice fields are located along its shores. The Hungtse Hu supports commercial fishing.