The Stream, January 4: China’s Largest Freshwater Lake Shrinks

Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake, currently has less than 200 square kilometers (77.2 square miles) of water surface area due to drought, Xinhua reported. Record low water levels on the Ganjiang River, which feeds into the lake, could cause water shortages in nearby cities.

Israeli companies can use the West Bank’s natural resources for profit without violating international law, according to a new court ruling, the Guardian reported. Though the ruling referred to stone quarries, it could also have implications for water resources.

French energy company Total is investing $2.3 billion in Ohio’s Utica shale gas development, according to Reuters.

United States demand for out-of-season organic produce is stressing water table levels in the Mexican desert, where the produce is grown, The New York Times reported.

Heavy rains led to flooding and mudslides in Brazil, where 7 people died and 52 towns declared a state of emergency, according to Xinhua.

Projects to clean up the Chesapeake Bay could create up to 250,000 jobs in the region, the Associated Press reported, citing a new report from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek