Sheyang Lake was a famous large lake in North Jiangsu in historical period. During the early Holocene, it was transgressed and reduced into a part of Lixahe bay. During the middle Holocene, an old lagoon was formed as the result of the formation of offshores. Later,due to eastward movement of the coastline and flushing action of freshwater, the old lagoon turned into a freshwater lake gradually. As the Yellow River captured the Huaihe River in 1128, a great quantity of sand was carried into the lake and piled up there swiftly. A lot of marshlands were formed in the lake. In addition to man's remarkable influence, it became a part of the Lixiahe Plain.