Luoma Lake in Suqian.
Suqian Luoma Lake, located in the northern part of Jiangsu Province, spans the two cities of Suqian and Xuzhou. It is the fourth largest freshwater lake in Jiangsu. The following is a detailed introduction to Suqian Luoma Lake:
1. Basic Information
Origin of the name: Luoma Lake was formerly known as Lema Lake, also known as Luoma Lake. "The History of Song Dynasty - Chronicle of Emperor Gaozong" calls it Lema Lake. Luo is the homonym of "Le" and "Luo", and it was named after the ancient Jin soldiers who were stationed here.
Location and Territory: Luoma Lake is located in the northern part of Jiangsu Province, straddling the cities of Suqian and Xuzhou, between 118°05′ and 118°19′ east longitude and 34°00′ and 34°14′ north latitude.
Area and water storage capacity: The water area of Luoma Lake is 296 square kilometers (corresponding water level is 21.81 meters), and the water storage capacity is 270 million cubic meters. When the water level is 22.83 (23.00) meters, the average water depth is 3.32 meters. The maximum width is 20 kilometers and the lake bottom elevation is 18 to 21 meters. One theory is that the elevation of the lake bottom is generally 18.50-22.00 meters according to the 1985 National Elevation Datum (18.67-22.17 according to the abandoned Yellow River Elevation Datum); the maximum water depth is 5.5 meters, and there are more than 60 islands of various sizes.
2. Geology and Hydrology
Geology and landform: The Luomahu Lake Basin is a local depression in the Tanlu Fault Zone. The famous Tanlu Fault Zone runs through the north and south along the east bank of the lake. The lake area belongs to the Huanghuai alluvial plain, which is the river beach and valley plain of the alluvial plain, with open terrain and low terrain.
Hydrological characteristics: Luomahu Lake is a large flood control reservoir for regulating floods from the Yi, Shu and Si rivers. It is also an important transit station for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The lake was affected by the Yellow River's repeated migrations and diversions to the Huai River, and silt was deposited on both sides of the abandoned Yellow River, forming a high-lying lake area.
3. Ecology and Resources
Ecological environment: Luoma Lake has been designated as a northern Jiangsu aquatic wetland protection area by Jiangsu Province and has rich aquatic biological resources. There are more than twenty kinds of aquatic plants in the lake area, including reed, lotus root, water chestnut, cattail, etc., and it produces more than ten kinds of aquatic products, including crucian carp, whitebait, silver carp, green shrimp, white shrimp, crab, and river clams.
Tourism resources: There are abundant tourism resources around Luoma Lake. The Ring Road around the lake is about 70 kilometers long. Along the way, there are many attractions such as Luoma Lake Beach Park, Lakeside Park, Luoma Lake Happy World, and Roman Garden. These scenic spots not only have beautiful natural scenery, but also provide abundant leisure and entertainment facilities.
IV. History and Changes
Historical changes: The history of Luomahu has experienced many twists and turns. From the Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, the area had not yet become a lake, but a densely populated plain in the lower reaches of the Yi River. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Luoma Lake was just a small lake. In the Ming Dynasty, Luoma Lake had become a large-capacity lake, which was closely related to the Yellow River absorbing the Si River and the Huai River changing its course to the south. Modern Luoma Lake has become a large artificial controlled lake in the Huaibei Plain, with multiple benefits such as irrigation, shipping, and fisheries.
Governance and development: Luomahu Lake has undergone many governance and development processes. In 1952, the Zaohe Gate and Yanghetan Gate were built as part of the Yi River Diversion and Shu River Regulation Project. In 1958, the Zhangshan Gate and the lake embankment were built, making it a flood retention reservoir. The construction of these projects has enabled Luoma Lake to play an important role in flood control, water storage, irrigation and other aspects.
V. Conclusion
With its unique geographical location, rich natural resources and profound historical and cultural heritage, Suqian Luoma Lake has become a comprehensive tourist destination integrating natural scenery, leisure and entertainment, and ecological protection. At the same time, Luomahu Lake is also an important flood control and water storage reservoir and South-to-North Water Diversion Transfer Station in Jiangsu Province and even the whole country. It is of great significance to ensure regional water resources security and ecological environment stability.