China will carry out the first national water conservancy survey from 2010 to 2012, said a statement issued by the State Council on the Chinese central government website Thursday.

The project will cover rivers, lakes, water conservancy projects, water conservancy institutions and key water users in the Chinese mainland, said the statement on the website.

The survey will focus on the numbers of lakes and rivers, the conditions of water conservancy projects and the protection of rivers and lakes.

Program planning, pilot projects and training will be made in 2010. Field work will be carried out in 2011. The survey will be published in 2012, according to the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2010)