China three gorges dam case study

Question 1

Chinas three gorges dam Background

Answer 1

• Began to be built in the 1990s after years of devastating floods in the drainage basin
• Dam was intended to : reduce risk of flooding, which will save lives and livehoods in the densely populated lake plains, generate HEP, make china more energy secure, fuel economic growth

Question 2

Chinas three gorges dam : Environmental

Answer 2

• Increased pollution from sewage and industrial effluent in reservoir area as flow will be reduced.
• toxic pollution from chemicals from drowned factories will also reduce water quality.
• Siltation of reservoir Increased scour below the dam; larger bank protection works may be needed in middle reaches.
• Landslips in reservoir area 150 in 5 months : slope stabilisation necessary in some areas of new settlement e.g. Zigui Earthquake threat large dams can cause earthquakes
• Ecosystems + habitats may well be affected e.g. River Dolpin
• Displacement and ecosystem loss = displacement and resettlement of communities and long term environmental impacts
• The famous Yangtze River Dolphin is now thought to be extinct due to loss of its habitat

Question 3

Chinas three gorges dam : Socio economic Benefits

Answer 3

Flood control in middle and lower reaches is the key benefit:

• will afford protection from 1 in a 100 year flood
• will save lives and livelihoods in the densely populated Jingjiang and Dongting Lake plains, the area most prone to devastating floods

Question 4

Chinas three gorges dam : Economic Benefits

Answer 4

• Flood control below Yichang losses will only be incurred in the event of a greater than 1 in 100 flood event
• Hydropower 18,200MW capacity; sale will fund project cost : provide 10% of China’s current needs, well placed to transmit to Beijing and to east and SE coastal provinces, create jobs and promote economic growth
• Navigation improvements important in area where communication by land restricted: will enable 5,000 vessels to reach Chongqing at all times of year, 10,000 t. vessels for 6 months It will become a major port of China
• Water: :water supply for towns in the valley, will facilitate transfer of water to water short Northern Plain via Danjiangkou Reservoir to Beijing (middle route)

Question 5

Chinas three gorges dam : Re-location disadvantage

Answer 5

• will involve at least 1.2m - some settlements will be completely submerged e.g. Fengdu
• some displaced people will have to be re-settled in physically different and distant regions
• within the valley re-location involves movement to higher altitudes with steeper slopes, poorer soils and climate
• consequently poorer quality of life. - new settlements will impact on residents of hill villages; will occupy large areas of land and loss of former land use

Question 6

Chinas three gorges dam : Loss of farmland disadvantage

Answer 6

• most fertile cropland and areas of citrus groves will be submerged
• will result in urban migration for many, some of whom will lack necessary skills and mind set to cope with new jobs

Question 7

Chinas three gorges dam : Loss of cultural heritage

Answer 7

• over 1200 sites will be drowned; only a few have been saved
• removal of people from ancestral home – believe in living in same area as born

Question 8

Chinas three gorges dam : Loss of social tradition

Answer 8

• belief in living in same area as born decreased tourism as Three Gorges will not be so spectacular