Three Gorges Dam Flashcards
What year was the Three Gorges Dam built?
2012
How much did it cost to build the Three Gorges Dam?
£50 billion
What is a dam?
A barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply.
What is a reservior?
A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply.
Where is the Three Gorges Dam?
On the Yangtzee River
What is the largest Dam in the world?
Three Gorges Dam
Explain the environmental benefits of the Dam
Reduced air pollution as hydropower replaces thermal power. At
present coal fired stations produce 80% of the country’s electricity.
Reduced siltation in lakes in middle and lower reaches
Explain the social and economic benefits of the Dam
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
Hydropower 18,200MW capacity; sale will fund project cost
* will provide about 10% of China’s current needs
* well placed to transmit to Beijing and to east and SE coastal provinces
* will create jobs and promote economic growth in valley and other
regions
Navigation improvements important in area where communication by
land restricted:
* will enable 5,000 t vessels to reach Chongqing at all times of year,
10,000 t. vessels for 6 months It will become a major port of
China
* will boost growth of Pudong and valley upstream to Chongqing
* other major growth points will be Wuhan-Yichang and Chongqing
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)
Explain the environmental disadvantages and impacts of the Dam
Increased pollution from sewage and industrial effluent in the reservoir areaas flow will be reduced. Chongqing is particularly concerned - 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: slope stabilisation necessary in some
areas of new settlement e.g. Zigui
Earthquake threat large dams can cause earthquakes
Ecosystems some habitats may well be affected e.g. River Dolpin
Explain the socioeconomic impacts of the Dam
Re-location: 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
Loss of farmland:
* 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
Loss of cultural heritage:
* 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
Loss of social tradition: belief in living in same area as born
decreased tourism as Three Gorges will not be so spectacular
