Three Gorges Dam

​​Overview​​

The ​​Three Gorges Dam​​ (三峡大坝) is a monumental hydroelectric gravity dam on the ​​Yangtze River​​ near Yichang, Hubei Province. As the world’s largest power station by capacity (22,500 MW), it symbolizes China’s engineering prowess while sparking global debate over its ecological and societal costs.

​​Key Features​​

1. ​​Dimensions & Construction​​

   • ​​Length​​: 2,335 meters (7,660 feet); ​​Height​​: 185 meters (607 feet).
   • ​​Materials​​: 28 million cubic meters of concrete and 463,000 metric tons of steel.
   • ​​Reservoir​​: Covers 600 km (375 miles) upstream, enabling oceangoing freighters to reach Chongqing.

2. ​​Functions​​

   • ​​Power Generation​​: Produced 111.88 terawatt-hours in 2020, a world record.
   • ​​Flood Control​​: Designed to mitigate Yangtze floods, though efficacy is debated (e.g., 2020 floods).
   • ​​Navigation​​: Features a ​​ship lift​​ (3,000-ton capacity) and ​​five-tier locks​​ (10,000-ton vessels).

3. ​​Timeline​​

   • ​​1994–2006​​: Construction phases; full operation by 2012.
   • ​​2015​​: Ship lift completed, the world’s largest at the time.

​​Controversies​​

• ​​Environmental Impact​​: Linked to landslides, earthquakes, and habitat loss (e.g., endangered Yangtze species).
• ​​Displacement​​: Over 1.3 million people relocated.
• ​​Cultural Loss​​: Submerged archaeological sites and landscapes.

​​Tourism & Recognition​​

• A ​​5A-rated tourist site​​, offering views of the dam’s scale and the Yangtze’s transformed gorges.
• Listed among China’s top 30 industrial achievements.

​​Conclusion​​

The Three Gorges Dam is a feat of modern engineering with profound benefits and challenges. Its dual role as a renewable energy source and a contentious ecological intervention makes it a pivotal subject for global travelers and researchers alike.