A Uighur girl on the banks of the Peacock River in Korle, Xinjiang. As part of the city’s plan on extending its modern water front the old original Uighur part of town is being torn down. Since Uigher culture and language is marginalized, there is a distinct sense that for now these people are the losers in this development phase. Its a subject that is clearly on the governments mind and is expressed on many red banners which I saw in Karamaiyi and Korle that stress the need for HARMONY. Though the signs were omnipresent local residents refused to talk about the meaning of the banners.

Mr Zhang, an 82 year old farmer in Minqin County, Gansu Province. China. Mr Zhang and his village have been told to vacate the land that he his family has farmed for around 300 years. After years of diversions the surrounding lake has become desert and the water table has dropped to 300 meters. In order to halt the advance of the desert the government has begun to strictly manage its remaining water sources and agricultural development.

The old site of Qingtu Lake which due to river diversions has become desert. This area in Minqin County exemplifies past mistakes in China’s agricultural and water management. After years of diverting its local river, the lake stands has become desert. Right: The monument in the background was erected by the provincial government honoring a site visit by national leaders.

A farming couple in Qiu Cheng village near Minqin City, Gansu province. Being closer to the city farmers from this village are being told to reduce their irrigation by 20 percent. Their yearly income of around 500 dollars will go down accordingly. They are already in debt and worry that this change in policy will force them into poverty.

At the home of a successful Korle farmer. Increasing the amount of arable land for the region is also part of the region's goals. Xinjiang produces much of China's cotton. While this family’s farm has recently prospered, the cost and difficulty of digging for well water has become a serious issue. In the past their wells needed to be 6 meters but in recent years they’ve needed to dig 20 meter wells.

Korle, Xinjiang, China 2007. The city of Korle, Xinjiang rises out of the Taklamakan desert. Korle is quickly becoming a major city in Xinjiang. This region sits on top of China’s largest oil reserve and hence is strategically important to the country's growth. In less then twenty years the city has grown from 100000 to over 420,000 people. . The region has become a center for mineral extraction and cotton farming both of which require large amounts of water. The city draws its water from the Bosten lake which is fed my mountain glaciers.

Wealthy new residents are being shown condos in a new development in Xining, Qinghai.

The regional capitol of Xinjiang, China is Urumqi. This city is competing to become a business hub for Central Asia. The frenetic pace of growth is felt at construction project at a key downtown intersection. This substantial infrastructure upgrade went around the clock. Urumqi like Korle is dependent on rivers from the Tian Shan which are glacier fed.

A new mall opens in Korle,Xinjiang. This newly prosperous town is attracting the development of malls and services. Korle is the hub of the oil industry in this desert region. Creating a familiar and comfortable city is part of the governments plan to attract new talent and workers.

Left: A Uighur woman on the banks of the Peacock River in Korle Xinjiang. As part of the city’s plan on extending its modern water front the old original Uighur part of town is being torn down. This woman is despondently going through the rubble of her house which was razed to make room for an extension of the water front development. As is often the case in China compensation for these relocations is minimal and does not ensure that the dispossessed are able to stay in the original area. Right: Uigher boy plays in the water diversion project in Korle, Xinjiang.

A Uigher girl plays in the fountains on the side of the Peacock River which runs from Bosten Lake through Korle. . The Tarim Oil Company has invested alot of money to make this once tiny hamlet in the desert into a livable city. Though water is scarce in the region gardens and lush parks have been created to attract new arrivals.

On Left, Bosten Lake, the main source of water for Korle. This structure was once the submerged foundation of a wharf which has now been exposed. The shore line in recent years has receded about a quarter mile. This lake is fed by glaciers in the Tian Shan which are melting at an accelerating pace. This is due in part to the increased salinization of the regions lakes which deposit salt onto the glaciers which in turn melt faster. On Right, the new Korle Airport which is being built to facilitate the region's growth.

The oil fields in Karamaiyi, China. The exploitation of oil and other minerals in western China are one of the main reasons that the Chinese government needs to develop the region. In addition to being an oil producer it is also the main transport conduit of even larger amounts of oil from Kazakhstan to the industrial and urban centers to the east. Perhaps its is this increasing reliance on imported oil that will get China and Kazakhstan to work out a water usage treaty.

Oilfields in Karamaiyi. The city relies on water diverted from the Irtysh River 300 km. to the north.

The outflow of the Irtysh diversion canal at Karamaiyi, Xinjiang China. This canal runs 300km to feed a growing urban and oil extraction area in Northern Xinjiang. Due to local pollution and increased need the government created this large canal. These types of water diversion projects, dams and irrigation projects are having serious environmental consequences on rivers that flow to China's neighbors. While in Yinning where the Illi crosses into Kazakhstan one hydro-engineer said off the record, that China planned to use up to 30-40 percent of its flow. If correct the implications for Balkhash Lake are grim.

At Khorgos free trade zone on the border of China and Kazakhstan. Trade between these two countries is rapidly expanding. Kazakhstan has oil and China has almost everything else. Lines of tractors and heavy equipment line the border. A new mall is built for Central Asian visitors to buy duty free goods before returning home.

Behind the Bin Jiang Hotel in Urumqi trucks are loaded up for transport of goods to Kazakhstan and beyond. Urumqi, Xinjiang. Uighur men congregate at hotels to help facilitate trade between Chinese business and Central Asian buyers. Given the similarities in language and culture with their Central Asian neighbors they have found a niche in this growing trade relationship.

A Kazakh man crosses the China/Kazakh border in Khorgas, China. At Khorgos free trade zone on the border of China and Kazakhstan. Trade between these two countries is rapidly expanding. Kazakhstan has oil and China has almost everything else. Lines of tractors and heavy equipment line the border. A new mall is built for Central Asian visitors to buy duty free material before returning home.

The Illi is the prime source of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan. Currently through irrigation and dams, China uses 20 percent of the flow but according to a city engineer it has plans to use fifty percent. Under any conditions this usage, according to Kazakh environmentalists will cause another Aral Sea type catastrophe at Lake Balkhash

Tian Shan Mountains and Glaciers, Xinjiang, China. These glaciers are the prime source for several rivers in Xinjiang that ultimately end up in Kazakhstan. Due to climatic conditions these glaciers are quickly being depleted. The Illi River which originates in this glacial range is threatened not only by over use but by a reduction in its glacial source. All of the glaciers in the region are facing the same conditions and will seriously affect the long term availability of water.

The Illi is the prime source of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan. Currently through irrigation and dams, China uses 20 percent of the flow but according to a city engineer it has plans to use fifty percent. Under any conditions this usage, according to Kazakh environmentalists will cause another Aral Sea type catastrophe at Lake Balkhash.

Balkhash Lake, Kazakhstan. Looking across the one small peninsula one can see the immense amount of pollution that spews and eventually settles in the lake. Though this lake ranks as one of the largest in Central Asia its especially shallow expanse makes it vulnerable to industrial waste. That, in addition to depletion of its feeder rivers is changing the lake’s ecology.

Due to the local metal plant's pollution the grass in this city stadium will not grow. To celebrate the town's 70th anniversary the factory has bought the town fake grass.

The metal refining plant at Balkhash spews metal waste over the entire area including the lake. The residents complain of serious health issues and have witnessed mass die offs of migrating birds who have flown through the plumes.

Left: Fishing on the lake is both pastime and career for locals. The local stocks have been greatly depleted by water conditions and overfishing. Increased salinity due to overextraction and pollution are the primary causes. Right:Swimming in the lake is a popular summer activity. Some local people enjoy swimming in the discharge water from the factory's power plant which they say is like a bathtub. Signs are posted that say swimming in these waters is dangerous.

Fishing on the lake is both pastime and career for locals. The local stocks have been greatly depleted by pollution and overfishing. Increased salinity due to over extraction and pollution are the primary causes.

Two sisters collect well water near the metal refining factory in Balkhash, Kazakstan.