China’s desert spring hits 20-year high in water level, revealing ecological progress

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Crescent Spring, a desert oasis in northwest China's Gansu Province, has reached its highest water level and largest surface area in over two decades. This marks a significant success for ecological restoration efforts. The oasis, nestled among the Mingsha Mountain dunes, now measures 3.8 meters deep and covers 2.12 hectares, a dramatic improvement from the late 1990s when it nearly dried up. A 2011 government plan focusing on groundwater replenishment is credited with the spring's revival.