Trouble of Water: A Case Study of 3 Gorges

1. Trouble of Water: A Case Study of 3 Gorges

2. Introduction • What is a gorge? • The ‘Three Gorges’ consisting of Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峽), Wu Gorge (巫峽) and Xiling Gorge (西陵峽), stretchs on a 192 km section of Chiangjiang. • The Three Gorges presents a scene of boundless variety with the magnificence (雄) of Qutang Gorge, the elegance (秀) of Wu Gorge and the danger (險) of Xiling Gorge.

5. The magnificence of Qutang Gorge (瞿塘峽).

6. Another shot of Qutang Gorge.

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8. Another view of Baidicheng (bottom)

9. A cruise liner passing through the Qutang Gorge.

10. Plank roads (棧道) in the gorge region, with full length of 50 to 60 kilometres.

11. Helena walking along a plank on Hwa Shan

12. View of the elegant Wu Gorge during early spring.

13. Wu Gorge during the dry season.

14. Sunset bathed in Wu Gorge.

15. The Dragon Back Rock in the Wu Gorge.

16. A scene in Wu Gorge, presenting special geological features.

17. A Gorge with a hill at the back.

18. One of the popular sections in the Xiling Gorge.

19. Spring snow in the Xiling Gorge.

20. A Pass in Yichang City, representing the start of middle course.

21. A Short History of 3 Gorges Project • Dr. Sun Y.S. first proposed to improve the navigation of upper Changjiang and explore the possibility of HEP at 3 Gorges. • An team of American engineers visited 3 Gorges and Finished a report about dam construction. • In 1953, Mao C.T. visited Changjiang and developed the idea of Three Gorges Project. • 1956, Mao proposed a plan of which a dam location was recommended Sandouping. • However, the proposal was brought to a halt by different reasons.

22. A Short History of 3 Gorges Project (cont’d) • China government started to build Gezhouba in 1970. • The proposal was revived in early 80s consequent to the needs for flood control, generation of hydroelectric power, and improved navigation. • The construction was finally endorsed at the 5th plenary session of the 7th National People’s Congress (人民代表大會) in 1992. • The dam site is situated at Sandouping of Yichang City, Hubei Province, about 40 km upstream from the existing Gezhouba Project in Yichang.

23. The Resolution for the Construction was passed at the 5th session of the 7th National People's Congress on the 3rd of April,1992

24. Benefits of TGP • The Three Gorges Project (TGP) is a multi-purpose project which offers three major direct benefits: • Flood Control • Power Generation • Navigation • Water Transfer

25. A man weeps after flood waters claimed his home in Jiangxi province (in 1998).

26. Flood in 1998

27. Flood in 1998

28. Sandbags are used to protect villages from flooding along the Chang Jiang.

30. Cities within 1000km from the power station

31. Docks serve as a kind of market for ships that pass along the river.

32. Shiplock at Gezhouba hydro-electric project in Yichang

33. Ships at the dam site section

34. South Water North transfer Scheme

35. Construction progress • Construction for the whole Three Gorges Project (TGP) will take about 17 years, starting from 1993 until 2009: • Preparation and Stage I Construction : • 5 years (1993 - 1997) • Stage II Construction: • 6 years (1998 - 2003) • Stage III Construction : • 6 years (2004 - 2009)

36. Original view of the TGP site at Sandouping.

37. View of the TGP site in 1993.

38. View of the TGP site in 1994.

39. View of the TGP site in 1995.

40. View of the TGP site in 1996.

41. View of the TGP site in 1997.

42. Closure of main river course on 08.11.1997

43. Three Gorges dam site, July 1, 2001. The channel will be closed in 2003.

44. TGP site after completion.

45. Impacts of TGP • Hydrological impacts • Environmental impacts • Landscape impacts • Cultural impacts • Developmental impacts

47. Chinese Sturgeon is protected

48. Transplant rare plants from reservoir area

49. Unearthing cultural relics in Zhongbao Island

50. Ghost city in TGP area