Trouble of Water: A Case Study of 3 Gorges

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.

The magnificence of Qutang Gorge ( 瞿塘峽 ).

Another shot of Qutang Gorge.

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Another view of Baidicheng (bottom)

A cruise liner passing through the Qutang Gorge.

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

Helena walking along a plank on Hwa Shan

View of the elegant Wu Gorge during early spring.

Wu Gorge during the dry season.

Sunset bathed in Wu Gorge.

The Dragon Back Rock in the Wu Gorge.

A scene in Wu Gorge, presenting special geological features.

A Gorge with a hill at the back.

One of the popular sections in the Xiling Gorge.

Spring snow in the Xiling Gorge.

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

 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. A Short History of 3 Gorges Project

 China government started to build Gezhouba in  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 5 th plenary session of the 7 th National People’s Congress ( 人民代表大 會 ) in  The dam site is situated at Sandouping of Yichang City, Hubei Province, about 40 km upstream from the existing Gezhouba Project in Yichang. A Short History of 3 Gorges Project (cont’d)

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

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

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

Flood in 1998

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

Cities within 1000km from the power station

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

Shiplock at Gezhouba hydro-electric project in Yichang

Ships at the dam site section

South Water North transfer Scheme

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 ( )  Stage II Construction:  6 years ( )  Stage III Construction :  6 years ( )

Original view of the TGP site at Sandouping.

View of the TGP site in 1993.

View of the TGP site in 1994.

View of the TGP site in 1995.

View of the TGP site in 1996.

View of the TGP site in 1997.

Closure of main river course on

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

TGP site after completion.

Impacts of TGP  Hydrological impacts  Environmental impacts  Landscape impacts  Cultural impacts  Developmental impacts

Chinese Sturgeon is protected

Transplant rare plants from reservoir area

Unearthing cultural relics in Zhongbao Island

Ghost city in TGP area

Baidicheng in TGP area

Plate showing the future normal pool level at an elevation of 175m

Wanxian is located roughly 300 kilometers upstream from the construction site of the Three Gorges Dam - this city stands to lose much of its bustling waterfront when the dam is completed. (Dec. 2001)

The red flag above the man's head is turned upside down to indicate that "luck has come", though the writing on the wall serves as a reminder that the town will soon be demolished. (Dec. 2001)

Fengjie newtown built under the resettlement program

Relatively fertile lowland will be inundated.

Advantages of Resettlement  The “development-oriented assistance” policy, instead of one-payment compensation, helps the resettled people to exploit the local resources in order to create stable production.  The trial resettlement has been a great success, and per capita income rose from USD 40 to 130/yr. Local people are aware of these benefits and support for the project.  The development initiates the economical restructuring.

A newtown is built just above the old town. New development implies opportunities.

The New Zigui city

Some migrant's new houses

Sustainable development in TG Region  The long term solution relies on the sustainable development through creating new opportunities in agriculture and upgrading and expanding industry at the time of settlement.  In recent years, different kinds of eco-villages have been established as a response to the issue.  Ecology is the foundation for development.

The central government starts to concern the issue of soil conservation

A new developed eco-village, Wangjiakou

Landslide, a form of soil erosion

Slope field

Earth bund

A piece of orange field

An orange tree

~ Thank you ~

Soil erosion and solutions  Ecological agriculture  Terracing  Stone terrace  Earth bund  Hedgerow  Slope stabilization  Development of secondary and tertiary industries

Terraces

Stone terraces

Hedgerow

Water storage pool at the top of a small hill.