3 Gorges Dam

Question 1

Positive social impacts

Answer 1

New settlements being built which will have better housing
Provides water for the valley towns and allow transfer of water to areas of shortage
100 million people living and 25,000 hectares of farmland down river will be protected from flooding

Question 2

Negative social impacts

Answer 2

1.3 million people have been relocated as the valley where they used to live was flooded to build dam (many didn’t receive compensation)
The sites of many sacred temples have been lost
People forced to leave homes to move to more expensive housing

Question 3

Positive economic impacts

Answer 3

HEP will enable growth of industry and jobs in the valley region
The river level will be constant allowing shopping to use the length of the river

Question 4

Negative economic impacts

Answer 4

Much good quality farmland lost due to deliberate flooding of valley
Tourism may be affected as the scenic quality of the three gorges are lost

Question 5

Positive environmental impacts

Answer 5

HEP will be generated

Question 6

Negative environmental impacts

Answer 6

Reduced flow of sediment downriver will harm agricultures as farmers rely on silt for fertile soils
Changing the flow to the river Yangtze could lead to the extinction of the river dolphin
Concern that the dam may break causing colossal flooding