The Three Gorges Dam, located in the Yiling District within China's Hubei province,
represents a great feat of modern engineering. Not only is it the world's largest hydroelectric
dam, but it also serves multiple significant purposes extending beyond power generation.
The advantages and drawbacks of such an ambitious project are many, and they impact
both the local environment and the world because of its immense scale. The Three Gorges
Dam, spanning the Yangtze River in China, stands as the world's largest power station in
terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW). Given such numbers, the dam’s enormous scale
becomes clear. Here are a few key statistics about the Three Gorges Dam:
Length: 2,335 metres
Height: 181 metres
Width (at the base): 115 metres
Why was Three Gorges Dam Built
The primary reason for the construction of the Three Gorges Dam was to generate electricity
to sustain China's rapidly growing economy. Yet, this wasn't the only motive. The dam also
serves to prevent disastrous floods and improve shipping lanes. The following table outlines
the specific objectives the Chinese government hoped to achieve by building the dam:
Power Generation The dam houses 32 turbine generators, each possessing a capacity of
700 MW, providing China with a renewable source of electricity.
Flood Control The dam's vast reservoir aids in flood storage, reducing the frequency of
major downstream flooding.
Navigational Improvement The dam enables the Yangtze River to accommodate larger
vessels, making shipping more efficient.
The Three Gorges Dam is a testament to human engineering capabilities. In addition to its
general enormity, multiple advances were employed in its design and construction
The history of the Three Gorges Dam is as rich and impressive as its current status as the
world's largest power station. From the first conceptualization to the day the last turbine was
installed, the journey is filled with engineering triumphs, challenges and profound impacts.
Origins and Planning: Three Gorges Dam History
The idea for a dam in the Three Gorges area can be traced back to as early as 1919, when
Dr. Sun Yat-sen first proposed the ambitious plan in his "Plan to Develop Industry." However,
it wasn’t until several decades later, in 1984, that feasibility studies began to give this vision
solid grounding. A series of evaluations and discussions were conducted domestically and
internationally, factoring in both the geological and environmental aspects of the dam's
construction. Significant topics during the planning phase included:
Location: The final site, Sandouping, was chosen because of its narrow river, favourable
geological conditions, and its closeness to industrial cities.
Design: Considerations such as the dam's height, length, and type of generators to be used
were meticulously deliberated.
Impact: The environmental and sociological effects of the dam, including displacement of
local inhabitants and potential impacts on the local fauna and flora, were examined.