Water-resources assessment in an arid region - A case study for the North Tianshan Region, northwest China

The North Tianshan Region, with an area of 150,000 square kilometers (km(2)) in northwestern China, is characterized by relatively abundant surface-water resources but limited groundwater resources. However, the development of these resources is constrained by time variability and spatial distributions relative to the regional water-use patterns. Several methods have been applied to assess the surface-water and groundwater resources of this region. Interrelationships of streamflows with regional precipitation and evaporation rates indicate the value of historical as well as continuing collection of hydrologic data. Analysis and evaluation of these data records are critical to regional water-resources master planning and the identification of priority water-development projects in this remote part of China.