Recently, the first phase of the Chaidamu Basin Water Resources Allocation Project, a major water-saving and water supply project in 172 countries, has resumed work comprehensively. This meandering river, with an altitude of over 3000 meters, is making its final push towards the goal of being fully completed by 2029 with a momentum of breaking through bamboo.

Although the Chaidamu Basin is blessed with endless treasures such as salt lakes and oil and gas, it has long been trapped in the dilemma of water shortage while guarding the treasure trove. The uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water resources has caused this plateau desert to suffer from engineering water shortage. The first phase of the resumption of work this time is a thunderous move to solve this bottleneck problem.

As the core supporting facility of the Nalenggele River Water Conservancy Hub, the project has a total investment of 11.366 billion yuan. It takes water from the Nalenggele River and delivers high-quality water to Golmud, Mangya, and Lenghu Circular Economy Park through a 594 kilometer long water supply main line and east-west branch line. This is not only a simple diversion of water, but also a reshaping of the regional development pattern.

Construction in extremely cold and hypoxic environments is a dual test of willpower and technology. Builders not only have to overcome the physiological limit above 3000 meters above sea level, but also have to deal with the world-class challenges of complex geology and saline soil corrosion. But the water conservancy iron army is not afraid of difficulties: large-diameter pipeline robots achieve visual welding, and the first pass qualification rate of welds is stable at over 90%; The independently developed intelligent welding windproof shed integrates environmental monitoring and video surveillance; Automated operation of internal anti-corrosion robots greatly improves construction efficiency. Empowered by technology, this intelligent water network extends precisely on the ancient wasteland. Keywords: infrastructure projects, water conservancy projects

After the completion of the project, 269 million cubic meters of high-quality water will be transported annually, completely ending the water shortage in places such as Golmud and Mangya. This hydrodynamic force will comprehensively guarantee the water demand of world-class salt lake industrial bases and energy and chemical bases, supporting the vigorous development of the billion dollar industrial chain. The deeper significance lies in ecological restoration - by reducing groundwater extraction, water can be returned to lakes and wetlands, allowing fragile high-altitude ecosystems to recuperate.Editor/Cheng Liting