Three Gorges Dam

Should China have built the Three Gorges Dam? Question Should China have built the Three Gorges Dam? Clip art from Microsoft XP.

Agenda Background Pros Cons Decision Questions and Answers

Background The Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world Damming the river where the Qutang, Wuxia, Xiling Gorges meet (Three Gorges) Approved in 1989 for construction Project began in 1993 Water level reached 175 m deep and 600 km long Completed by 2001, opened 2003.

Construction Site

Construction of Dam

Construction of Dam

Pros Flood control Power generation Navigation Water Diversion Environmental Protection Economic Boost

Flood control The Yangtze has claimed more than 1 million lives in past 100 years Prevent catastrophic flooding Lessen the frequency of big downstream floods from once every 10 years to once every 100 years Preserve: Large amount of farmland 15 million people's safety Properties in the downstream area The risk that the dam will increase flooding is remote

Power generation 26 generators will produce 18.2M Kilowatts of energy Create as much energy as 18 nuclear power plants or the burning of 40 million tons of coal Electrical power from dam will provide up to one-ninth of China’s output. Power is to be sent through transmission lines mostly to eastern and central China to solve energy shortages there Beginning of water storage http://test.china.org.cn/english/2003/Jun/65919.htm

Navigation A 10,000 ton vessel can sail in interior for six months out of each year Would increase river shipping from 10 million to 50 million tons annually Transportation costs cut by 30 to 37 percent Shipping would become safer The Regal China cruise ship arriving

Resettled child in Ling Bao village Water Diversion Droughts have effected irrigation and farmlands Three Gorges Dam will provide a balance in water distribution Water in abundant areas will be redirected to areas of drought Resettled child in Ling Bao village http://www.threegorgesprobe.org/probeint/ThreeGorges/3gphoto9.html

Environmental Protection Clean energy source Coal accounts for three quarters of country’s energy Reduce acid rain and global warming Clip art from Microsoft XP.

Economic Boost Increase in shipping and commerce Development of urban areas, factories and homes require electricity Three Gorges artifacts preserved to increase tourism Tourism of the Dam Yangtze River: A pagoda overlooking the river, near the Three Gorges dam. Photo: Chris Stowers/Panos Pictures

Cons Cost Environmental Impact Time Constraints Relocation of people Economic Strain Cultural Loss

Cost The dam cost approximately $24 Billion and strain China’s economy Clip art from Microsoft XP.

Environmental Impact Area around the dam is very beautiful Different species of plants and animals will perish Worsen pollution by trapping sewage and industrial waste Little to no attempts to move toxic waste and other potential pollutants that will inundate the river

Time Constraints Erosion and a non-ideal foundation, adds time onto project. The project could be subject to a foreign or military attack. A construction worker prepares the hills for the reservoir. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9805/08/china.doomed.river/index.html

Relocation of people 1.13M migrants will be forced out of their homes Violation of Human Rights Discrimination Unsatisfactory living conditions Fewer job opportunities No channels to express dissatisfaction Corruption of funds People moving from their homes. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9805/08/china.doomed.river/index.html

Economic Strain Flooding of the most fertile agricultural lands The effect on both the migrating and the host community Shortage of farmland Unemployment Decline in house hold income Learning a new lifestyle (educational and technical skills) Ling Bao village, a model resettlement village, 30km from the city of Yichang in Hubei province. The damsite is about 60 km west of Yichang city. http://www.threegorgesprobe.org/probeint/ThreeGorges/3gphoto7.html

Cultural Loss Culture as a product of the environment Learning new technologies 1,300 Archeological sites would be destroyed Destroy the legendary beauty of the scenery Reduce tourism revenue

Decision Was building the Three Gorges Dam the right idea? Why or why not?

Questions