Three Gorges DamBrilliant solution to Southern

China energy crisis or environmental disaster

http://www.yangtzeriver.org/threegorges_dam

Concept and Environmental Impact Assessment began in 1950’s during the era of Mao ZeDong

Reasons to Build Dam

• Improve navigation along the Yangtze River. Major Highway for movement of coal, other goods and people

• Prevent seasonal flooding which used to cause loss of life and property along river.

• Provide hydroelectric power desperately needed energy for growing population

• Reduce dependence on coal with environmental and health and safety issues

Chong Qing population 26 millionStart of cruise down the Yangtze

175 m sign and landslide prevention

Flooded Towns being replaced by new apartments above the 175 m water level

Collecting garbage from the flooded cities

Coal storage and chutes

Coal

Chute

Coal barge and cruise ships

Displaced people are moved up the slopes or sent to other areas of China. Families separatedNew bridges replace submerged onesNew building often on old landslip areas due to shortage of flat land for building

People still fish along the Yangtze

Steps or tram up to 175 m level

Entrance to the First Gorge

Entrance to the Second Gorge

Reservoir Induced Landslides caused by buildup of groundwater inside sediments

along side of Gorge.

Qiangjiangping landslideQiangjiangping landslide on July 13th 2003Lasted 5 minutes, Landslide monitoring gave warning1200 people evacuatedProduced 30 m high surge, caused 14 deaths, 10 disappeared, 19 injuries. Economic loss 57 million RMB Similar cause to Viant Dam landslide

buildup of water pressure below clay layer caused slippage

How to build a damFirst find a Gorge with an island in the middle

Then build a dam without stopping the fast flow of the Yangtze River

                           

                           

                           

                           

                           

1 2 3

4 5

Dam wall, sluice gates and Garbage trap

Locks to enable ships to pass through the dam up and down river

Environmental Issues and solutions• Flooding cities including 1300 important archaeological sites

– Rebuilding of cities and museums above flood level – Movement of archaeological artifacts

• Forced movement of people• Loss of rich farmlands

– Farms moved to poorer land along side of gorge

• Increasing numbers and frequency of landslides– Landslide monitoring and prevention

• Possible loss of rare or endangered plants, fish, animals living along the Yangtze – Fish ladders, animal reserves

• Reservior Induced landsides– Monitoring and landslide prevention engineering

• Silt buildup behind dam could reduce size of reservoir and cause coastal erosion– Sluices at the base of the dam to allow silt to pass through

• Pollution produces amazing sunsets