Politicians Dream Up the Idea of the Dam
In 1919, former Chinese politician Sun Yat-sen proposed constructing an enormous dam on the Yangtze River, which could produce a tremendous amount of energy.
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The project was shelved until a disastrous flood swept through the region in 1954, killing over 33,000 people. Following this event, Chinese leader Mao Zedong ordered state officials to conduct detailed studies on various locations that could be suitable for the creation of a dam.
China Finally Agrees to Build the Three Gorges Dam
Despite Mao’s enthusiasm for the project, little progress was made in the following decades. Finally, in 1992, self-taught engineer Premier Li Peng convinced the National People’s Congress of the necessity of the dam and voted in favor of the project.
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Just a year later, work began on access roads, and by 1997, Chinese engineers had diverted to the river, ending the project’s first phase.
The Construction of the Three Gorges Dam
In total, it took over 40,000 workers around 17 years to construct the dam, which cost an estimated $37 billion.
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The mammoth concrete structure is over 1.4 miles long, over 600 feet above sea level, and comprised of around 27.2 million cubic meters of concrete and over 463,000 tons of steel, showcasing the true extent of this project.
How Much Energy Can the Dam Produce?
Construction of the main dam was completed in 2006, and over a decade later, the hydro plant was fully operational. At total capacity, the dam can produce a staggering 22,500 MW of energy, a feat powered by over 30 6,000-ton generators.
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The dam’s energy production is equal to 15 nuclear reactors, which can provide power for around 60 million people.
The Enormous Reservoir at the Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam also has an enormous reservoir that covers over 400 square miles and can hold an estimated 5 trillion gallons of water at full capacity.
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Engineers propose the reservoir protects millions of people from periodic flooding, as the dam can hold the Yangtze River at bay. However, the actual efficiency of its flood-reducing abilities has been contested in the past.
The Controversy Surrounding the Dam
Despite the miraculous achievement of building the dam, various parts of the project have been met with sharp criticism over the years, including the displacement of over 1.3 million people living in the region.
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According to reports, the construction of the dam destroyed countless natural features, architectural wonders, and archaeological sites. It also submerged 114 towns and 1,680 villages along the river’s banks, leading to a significant loss of cultural and natural heritage.
Environmental Impacts of the Dam
The construction of the dam also greatly affected the biodiversity of the Yangtze River. Environmentalists claim the flooding of habitats, the reduced water flow to others, and the altered weather patterns have affected a number of plant and animal species.
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Several endangered species native to the river, including sturgeons, baiji dolphins, and the finless porpoise, have come under threat following the completion of the dam.
The Three Gorges Dam Has Resulted in Landslides
According to geologists, the Three Gorges Dam has also increased the number of landslides and earthquakes in the region, which they suggest may become even more frequent in the years to come.
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“The huge weight of the water behind the Three Gorges Dam had started to erode the Yangtze’s banks in many places, which, together with frequent fluctuations in water levels, had triggered a series of landslides,” said one report.
NASA Claims the Dam Slows Down the Earth’s Rotation
According to NASA, the dam’s impacts go well beyond the environment. The enormous amount of water held back by the dam has slowed down the Earth’s rotation.
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Due to the staggering amount of water held within the reservoir, the Earth loses a minor amount of rotational momentum. Researchers estimate this has led to an elongation of a day by around 0.06 microseconds.
The Three Gorges Dam Has Made the Earth Rounder
While it may seem insignificant, the Three Gorges Dam is the only structure of its kind on Earth that has affected the rotation of our planet to such a degree that it is even noticeable.
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Accroding to NASA, the enormous concrete has essentially made the planet slightly more spherical in the center and flatter on top.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Three Gorges Dam
Despite the various controversies surrounding dam construction and its effects on the surrounding ecosystem, it is still one of the most remarkable structural engineering projects ever completed.
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Its ability to control flood levels throughout the year, coupled with its capacity to produce electricity for over 60 million people, are clear benefits that will continue to help the communities in the surrounding cities and villages.