The Sanxia Dam Project


>

Due to the delay getting through the Gezhouba lock, we got to the Sanxia Dam at dusk, making for less than perfect picture-taking light. By the time we got off the bus, it was pretty dark, limiting the number of pictures I was able to take.

Throughout China's history, people living along the Yangzi River have been devastated by floods on a regular basis, oft times causing thousands of fatalities and damaging many cities and farms, at a tremendous cost to the country, both economically and in human terms. The Sanxia Dam currently being constructed in the Three Gorges area will provide flood control as well as the following other benefits:

• power generation
• improved navigation safety
• tourism
• ecological protection
• development-oriented resettlement
• water distribution (transference of water from the South to the North)
• irrigation

The dam is the world's largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. When completed, it will create a 600 kilometer (375 mile) long reservoir extending from the dam site to Chongqing. 570,000 acres of farmland, villages in 19 counties and cities will be flooded, causing 1.5 million people to be relocated. In many areas, all new cities are being built above the 175 meter (above sea level) mark where the flood waters will eventually reach. The relocation is causing a lot of hardship, especially amongst the older residents, and, along with the promise of the destruction of many ancient historical sites, is generating a lot of controversy. Flooding to 135 meters is scheduled for 2003. The dam is expected to be completed in 2009 when the water level will be brought up to the final 175 meter mark. Full power generation is expected by 2012.

Click on a picture to see it full size.

The 135 and 175 meter marks, seen all along the river from the dam site to Chongqing. Notice all the construction on the high ground.

An all new city being built above the 175 meter mark. Condominium-style housing will be made available to all the local residents.

There is a lot of controversy over this immense project in several areas:

• environmental concerns
• safety, both during and after construction
• relocation of millions of people, many far from their current homes
• destruction of historical sites/artifacts

Many groups all over the world are opposing the construction and eventual completion of the dam, however, the construction goes on with little chance of it letting up. Violent protests have erupted amongst relocatees who don't want to leave their homes, and there have been many arrests. While on the outside the project promises only positives for China and its people, underneath, it hasn't all been pretty.

We got to the Sanxia Dam construction site right at dusk, being delayed by a long wait to get through the Gezhouba Dam lock. Picture opportunities were minimal due to the scarce light, but I was able to get a few before total darkness set in.

Click on a picture to see it full size.

A passing view of the lock under construction as our bus approached the site.	Looking out along the length of the dam.	Workers from all over come to work on the dam and stay in dorms like these. Some stay for many years. The Yangzi River is in the background.	The construction of the five step lock. Up close, it's really big!
Main China trip page