China discovers massive groundwater sources in Taklamakan Desert

Geological agencies in Xinjiang, China, have discovered two massive groundwater sources located within and near the Taklamakan Desert. The combined volume of these sources is reported to be nearly six times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam reservoir and approximately ten times the total capacity of five major North American lakes.

One water source was identified near the town of Andir in Minfeng County, along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, while the second was located south of the Mazartag Mountains deep within the desert. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that groundwater beneath the Taklamakan—China’s largest desert—is primarily stagnant or highly saline.

While the scale of the discovery is significant, researchers note that more data is required to determine the exact total reserves, recharge rates, and long-term sustainability for extraction. The findings come as China continues efforts to combat desertification, including the recent completion of a 3,046 km green belt designed to prevent sand encroachment on residential and agricultural lands. Stable water supplies are critical for maintaining this vegetation and supporting local agriculture in the arid region.