Three Gorges Dam
China
September 22, 2005
Part 3

The first dam downstream
Approach to the great dam

Next we cruised to the Three Gorges Project dam which is still under construction. We took a bus to the site of the dam and the overlook where we viewed the set of five locks which allow ships to pass the dam. The dam has mandated the displacement of nearly 1.5 million people and relocation of a number of cities and towns. In some cases, ancient archeological sites have or will be covered with water. The prime objectives of the project are flood control, irrigation, electricity, and navigation

• The height of the dam is 185 meters (610 feet above sea level)
• Dam length is 2,150 meters (7095 feet, about 1.3 miles)
• The electric generating capacity is 16,750 megawatts
• The total cost to build the dam is $75 billion U.S. dollars
• The construction duration is 18 years
• The length of the reservoir is 500-600 km (360 miles)

	The Three Gorges Dam
	Part of our tour group listening to the local guide.
	A scale model of the dam when completed
	A scale model of the locks (we passed through these locks going upstream)
	Model of dam and locks
	Generator section under construction
	Ships in one lock going downstream (the green ship is about 250 feet long) . There are five similar locks.
	View from the road crossing the locks (see above photo)
	Bob and Joyce and Monica (our trip leader)
First dam downstream Approach to the great dam
Bob and Joyce in China Home Page

Bob and Joyce
Adventurers in China - 2005

© Copyright 2005 Robert E. Graf

Bob and Joyce 2005 Guest Book - Send us a note

Visit Bob and Joyce home page for other photos and adventures.