Three Gorges Dam Project: 3 Gorges Dam in China

Three Gorges Dam Project

Introduction:

Not only is the Three Gorges Dam Project the largest water conservancy project in China, but also the largest water conservancy project in the world, mainly comprising of three large parts: the dam, the hydropower stations and the navigation buildings. After the implementation of the Three Gorges Dam Project, the normal pool level of the reservoir will be 175 m, and the total storage capacity 39.3 billion cubic meters; the total acreage of the reservoir is 1084 sq.km. This spans over 600 km. and whose average width is 1.1 km.

The Three Gorges Dam Project is a key backbone project to embolden the Yangtze River (Changjiang River). The Yangtze River is about 200 km from Fengjie to Yichang, which goes through the gorges of Qutang, Wu and Xiling. This is the so-named Yangtze Three Gorges, which are famous for their precipice landscape. Lying in the Sandouping within Yichang city, northchina Hubei province, the famous Three Gorges Dam Project is located here

Project Timetable:

The total duration of the Three Gorges Dam Project will last 17 years, which is divided into three stages.

5 years (1993 -- 1997) Preparation period and first stage construction.
6 years (1998 -- 2003) Second stage construction
7 years (2003 -- 2009) Third stage construction

At the first stage, some preparation work was done. In 1994, the project was formally put into execution. It mainly dealt with filling the cofferdam and excavating the open diversion channel in the first stage construction pit. At the same time, on the left bank of the river including completion of a temporary ship lock. The river water and shipping still went through the main river way. In 1997, the successful damming of the Yangtze River attracted lots of tourists at home and from abroad.

The main tasks of the second stage are to construct the second stage cofferdam on both upstream and downstream, electricity station facilities on the left dam and machine installation. Meanwhile, the permanent navigation buildings would be finished on the left bank. During the second period, the river water flows through the open diversion channel and the shipping goes through either the open diversion channel or the temporary ship lock. On Nov. 6 2002, we received exciting news that the damming of the open diversion channel of the Three Gorges Dam Project was successfully completed. This is the good news to the world. While enjoying the pleasure, many people worry this project will bring trouble to the tourism on the Yangtze River. Fact is that the worry is unnecessary. Because the second damming improved the Xiangxi sea-route, which diversifies the three gorges’ travel routes, the 600km long waterway from Yichang to Chongqing will be improved, making it possible for 10,000 tons of fleet to sail directly upstream to Chongqing. The tourism will take on a new look after the second stage. Yichang city will still hold the Yangtze River Three Gorges International Tourism Festival. The festival aims to highlight Yichang's brilliant ancient cultures and archeological legacies, as well as its advanced water conservancy achievements to the visitors.

After the successful fulfillment of the second stage, the third stage becomes a focus at present. In this period, the dam on the right bank and the electricity station will be constructed, and the whole machine installation will be finished. The river will pass through the permanent bottom and the temporary diversion outlets in the spillway dam. The shipping will go permanently through the ship lock. At that time, the three gorges reservoir will be 600 km long and 2000m wide at the widestpoint; its acreage will be 10,000 sq.km. It will be a calm gorger-like reservoir.Of course, although we have had great achievements in the second stage, still some problems need to be solved. First, we must finish earth-and rock-fill cofferdam and 20,000 stere impervious walls within about one month. Then, within three and a half month, and at most four months, we must construct three stages of compressing concrete cofferdam, 140m high. This is a hard task, but if done well, the third stage of the Three Gorges Dam Project will benefit much more.

Benefits:

What benefits of the Three Gorges Dam Project will be brought to the people? It is a very popular topic nowadays. According to the China's network, there will be mainly 4 advantages:

Flood Control: after the implementation of the TGP, its normal pool level can produce the flood control capacity of 22.15 billion cubic metres, which can control the biggest flood in 100 years; With the help of the flood diversion structure, the Three Gorges Dam Project can protect both banks of the Yangtze River from suffering the destructive disaster in 1000 years. The fact is that the Three Gorges Dam Project is "the Patron Saint" to ensure 23, 000, 0000 mu farmland and 15 million people's safety of lives and properties in the down river area of the Changjiang.

Power generation: with the dam built on the three gorges, the river water will generate electricity for hydropower stations of the three gorges. The profits are considerable. The designed annual generate electricity is 84.6 billion kilowatt hours. It's number one in the world and plays an important role in the development of the economy and reduction of the environmental pollution.

Navigation: the 600km long waterway from Yichang to Chongqing will be improved, making it possible for 10,000 tons of fleet to sail directly upstream to Chongqing. The river boating will be improved from 10 million to 50 million tons per year and the transportation cost decreased 35-37 percent. After the adjustment to the reservoir, navigation conditions upstream and downstream, the Yangtze River has been greatly improved in low water seasons.

Tourism: The Three Gorges Dam Project promotes the development of the three gorges tourism. As the largest water conservancy in the world, it puts the world-famous natural beauty and large water conservancy man-made sights into together, which makes the three gorges "the hottest" in tourism and press since recent years.

Conclusion: The Three Gorges Dam Project changes quickly with each passing day. To develop tourism, the China Three Gorges Dam Project Corporation built the Tanziling for the travelers to visit the panorama of three gorges at the highest point of the building site. The exhibition house and environmental garden are located in the dam area, which includes the natural scenic spot Maogongshan and the old architecture Huangling Temple. All of these show that three gorges has the beauty of science and culture, and highlighting the Three Gorges Dam Project in China's water Conservancy effort.