China claims water reserve 10 times larger than Great Lakes found under desert

Geologists in Xinjiang discovered two large groundwater sources beneath the Taklamakan Desert, near Andir in Minfeng County and south of the Mazar Tagh mountains. Volume, recharge rate and water suitability are not yet established; a station has opened to test brackish water for irrigation.

• Two sources found: near Andir and south of Mazar Tagh mountains
• 2015 estimate put Tarim Basin water at 10 times Great Lakes volume
• Station opened to test brackish water for irrigation
• Volume and renewability of new sources not disclosed