Three Gorges Dam

Considered the biggest and most powerful dam ever constructed. It is approximately 185m high and 2.3km wide and is the largest electronic scheme in the world. It has been built alone the Yangtze river, the third largest in the world. It consists of 26 turbines generating 18.2million megawatts of electricity. The reservoir is 560km long and 160km deep. The project cost over 60billion and employed 600,000 people, as well as displacing 2 million people from their towns and cities which no lie below the water line, due to the rising water behind the dam.

The newly constructed dam has some positives and negatives, it has prevented floods saving lives, and has catered for Chinas growing demand for electricity. 15million people will be better off due to the provision of electricity and the control off flooding. However it also has some negative effects, the trapped silt behind the dam has impeded power generation as well as downstream alluvial which has lead to the need of artificial fertiliser causing river pollution. The slowed river behind the dam has lead to it’s loss in ability to generate oxygen, as well as toxins being dumped into the river killing aquatic life. This chemical poisoning of the river has lead to worldwide environmental concern. China’s response is that “it is cheaper to pay the fine than to build a treatment plant”.

Close to completion. The Three Gorges Dam is considered to be a engineering masterpiece.

The Three Gorges Dam at night.