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The Three Gorges Dam (Economical (Negative (Physical landscape flooded:…
The Three Gorges Dam
Economical
Positive
Navigation: The government thought that the presence of the dam, the reservoir and the ship locks would allow large ships to travel up and downstream for the first time. The dam allows water levels to rise and this deeper water can support larger ships. Ships from Chongqing will be able to transport goods all the way to Shanghai.
Negative
Physical landscape flooded: The Yangtze is the third longest river in the world, at almost 4,000 miles. It passes through some of China's most spectacular scenery, some of which has been lost due to the dam. The water level has risen and hidden parts of the valley.
Cost of the Project: The Chinese government project estimates the dam will have $30 billion once completed and was an expensive project.
Social
Positive
Tourism: The Three Gorges Dam Project is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world and is very popular with tourists, bringing in more than 2 million visitors a year. It is China's biggest project since the Great Wall of China. Deeper water behind the dam allows huge ocean going freighters into the heart of China.
Job Opportunities: The project has created new job opportunities for people living in the local area. Either jobs related to running and maintaining the dam or jobs taken on after being relocated to towns like Chongqing.
Negative
Relocation: Loss of land was a big concern for villagers living by the river. People living around the dam site have had to be relocated either higher up the river bank or many miles away from the project. The lake covered or drowned their land so they have no choice but to move. At least 1.24 million people had to be relocated.
Loss of heritage sites: Over 100 towns and settlements were drowned to make space for the dam. In addition, over 1,000 archaeological and historic sites were also submerged and lost.
Environmental
Positive
Flood Control: The history of the Yangtze River includes many devastating floods over the centuries killing thousands of people and causing millions of dollars in damages. The government hope that the dam will reduce the impacts of flooding since it will have a flood control capacity of 22.15 billion cubic metres.
Power Generation: The government calculated that the use of hydroelectric turbine generators will reduce China's dependency on fossil fuels, especially coal that produces greenhouse gases. The 3GD produces about 84.6 billion kilowatt hours of clean energy annually.
Negative
Geologists' concern: The dam is built on an earthquake zone. If it was to break waters it would flood one of the world's most populated areas. There have been alarming reports of cracks in the dam and the use of substandard concrete and building materials to make it. Some scientists say the sheer weight of the 410-mile-long reservoir behind the dam has increased the danger of earthquakes and landslides.
Pollution: The dam has been plagued by reports of floating islands of garbage, carpets of algae and landslides on the banks. Since the 1.5 mile barrier was completed in 2006, the reservoir has been plagued by algae and pollution that would previously have been flushed away.
Damage to habitats: There have been ongoing environmental concerns about the 3GD. Along the river, trees are chopped down to make way for the dam. In the river habitats of fish and other animals are destroyed. Consequently some animal and plant species have been endangered e.g. the Yangtze river dolphin.