干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The sustainable development and management of water resources in the Sule River basin, which located in the and zone of northwestern China, was discussed. The Sule River constitutes the only significant water resources for the entire region. The spatial distribution of precipitation and runoff of this region is unevenly. The potential problems of past development and management of the basin are listed and some engineering and non-engineering measures, which could be useful in mitigating these, are presented. This case study highlights some important and complementary aspects of sustainable development and management of the arid and semi-arid basins in the northwestern China region.