Sun Moon Lake is one of the most famous scenic spots in Taiwan, known for its blue-green waters. However, the recent typhoon has caused an unusual sight in the lake which has some onlookers concerned.
Visitors to Sun Moon Lake these days may notice a very strange sight. A fountain of murky gray water bubbling up to the surface of the lake.
An aerial view shows just how much the muddy water is affecting the lake’s water quality, raising concerns among citizens.
One woman says she can see the difference in the water even from far away.
According to Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), which operates the dams that feed the lake, its water source comes from the Wujieba (武界壩) River in Nantou County. They say the strong winds and rains brought by typhoon Doksuri churned up sediment in the river. The company suspended the inflow of water into the lake to limit the impact on water quality.
However, it was necessary to let the sediment settle first on the lakebed before resuming the inflow of water, which took several days following the typhoon. The company says that the water coming in from Wujieba now meets quality standards.
Taipower says the source of the bubbles stems from a long water diversion channel that releases pressure through air vents to prevent damage to pipes. The release of this air then stirs up sediment in the lake, and citizens shouldn't worry if they see the bubbling.