China's water management: 3 Gorges Dam

Question 1

3 Gorges Dam:

Answer 1

A hydroelectric dam on the Yangtze River in China
Its the world’s largest power station
It costs $30 billion, but should only take 10 years to recover from the costs.
equivalent to burning 25 million tons of crude oil or 50 million tons of coal.
Over 100 towns and settlements were submerged when the dam was built.
Over 1000 archeological and historical sites were also submerged and lost.

Question 2

Benefits:

Answer 2

Power generation for the Middle, Eastern, and Southern China - industry and emerging middle class are ‘winners’.
Controls water levels - will avoid frequent floods, which cause problems around the Jinjang River.
Tourism - people travel to see the Yangtze River where a calm lake makes scenic spots more accessible.

Question 3

Drawbacks:

Answer 3

Residents - The dam partially or completely inundated 2 cities, 11 counties, 140 towns, 326 townships, and 1351 villages. around 23800 hectares, more than 1.1 million people must be resettled.
Every year, about 265 million gallons of raw sewage are deposited in the Yangtze River. Sewage will collect in the reservoir, which increases the risk of waterborne diseases.
The dam is built near many geological fault lines. About 360 million people live within the watershed of the Yangtze River.
Huge impacts environmentally - endangering 57 plant species, 25 fish species
Landslides may increase. One killed at least 30 people.