Dynamics and Biogeochemistry of River Corridors and Wetlands (Proceedings of symposium S4 held during the Seventh IAHS Scientific Assembly at Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, April 2005). IAHS Publ. 294, 2005, 114-121

1 Department of Hydraulic and Hydropower Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

2 Tarim River Basin Administration Bureau, Korla 841000, China

Abstract The downstream reach of the Tarim River (China), called the Green Corridor, has seriously deteriorated because of the drying-up of the Taitmar Lake and the downstream area since 1972. In order to restore the Green Corridor, water transfer has been undertaken on five occasions since May 2000 by diverting the Bosten Lake water into the Daxihaizi Reservoir and then making discharges into the downstream reach. Based on the monitoring data during the water transfer, the effects of stream flow on the rise in the groundwater table, soil moisture increase and vegetation recovery are studied. Water balance analysis indicates that with the planned amount of 0.35 billion m³ water each year, the water requirements of the natural vegetation in a zone extending 2 km to each side of the stream channel can be met. The results are helpful in determining the proper timing and amount of water to be transferred.

Key words green corridor restoration; groundwater; inland river; soil moisture; vegetation cover; water balance; water transfer