Three Gorges Dam on Yangtze River in China - which slows the rotation of Earth

The Three Gorges Dam is a colossal engineering project that takes your breath away with its scale and significance. Situated on one of China's most important rivers - the Yangtze - in Hubei Province, this dam combines the beauty of human ingenuity with the controversies surrounding its environmental and human impact. Let's focus on the fascinating facts, dimensions of this immense structure, and the effect it has on the entire region.

History and genesis of the project

Early ideas and decades of planning

The idea of building the Three Gorges Dam dates back to the early 20th century. As early as 1919, Sun Yat-Sen, the first president of the Republic of China, suggested creating a giant dam on the Yangtze River to control dangerous floods and support the region's economic development. However, it wasn’t until 1954, when a catastrophic flood claimed the lives of about 30,000 people, that the concept gained more support. Even though the project was discussed for decades, it took many years before the authorities gained the political and economic backing to implement it.

In 1992, the National People's Congress finally approved the construction. Even then, there was opposition - more than a third of the assembly members voted against it, fearing the environmental and community impact. Construction began in 1994 and took over a decade to complete, with the project officially celebrated in 2012.

A groundbreaking engineering project

The Dam on the Yangtze is not just an enormous structure but also an example of extraordinary engineering achievements. To harness a river over 6,300 km long, massive amounts of materials were needed. During construction, over 102.6 million cubic meters of earth and rock were excavated, and more than 26.43 million cubic meters of concrete were poured. Additionally, 463,000 tons of steel were used - enough to build 63 Eiffel Towers! The entire dam stretches 2.3 km in length and stands an impressive 185 meters high.

An architectural marvel - anatomy of the giant, its construction data, and dimensions

When we talk about the Three Gorges Dam, we don’t refer to a single structure. It is a complex hydrotechnical system whose scale and complexity astound even experienced engineers. It consists of three main components, each a masterpiece of engineering in its own right. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating anatomy of a modern technological marvel.

The dam has 386 metal gates of various types and 139 hydraulic hoists that manage water at multiple levels. The ship locks on one side of the dam are some of the largest in the world and allow up to 12 ships to move simultaneously. These locks are 37 meters high, and their design ensures safe passage both upstream and downstream.

The ship lift, on the other hand, functions like a giant elevator for smaller vessels, lifting or lowering them within just 30 minutes. This impressive engineering solution is both practical and spectacular, emphasizing the scale of the entire project.

The hydroelectric plant at the Three Gorges Dam is another aspect that impresses with its size and efficiency. It consists of 26 turbine sets, each with a capacity of 700 MW, giving a total capacity of 18,200 MW. The turbines, weighing 400 tons each, generate an average of 84.7 TWh of energy annually, a significant portion of China's electricity demand. Additionally, plans for installing seven more turbines underground on the right bank of the dam during construction have further boosted this giant’s energy potential.

1. The main dam - a colossus over the Yangtze

The main dam is a true titan among hydrotechnical structures:

Dimensions and structure:

• Dam crest length: 2,335 meters
• Height: 181 meters
• Base width: 115 meters
• Crest width: 40 meters

Materials and construction:

• Used 26.43 million m³ of concrete - enough to fill 10,500 Olympic swimming pools
• Reinforced with 463,000 tons of steel - enough to build 63 copies of the Eiffel Tower
• Excavated 102.6 million m³ of earth and rock
• Equipped with over 27,000 sensors monitoring the technical condition

Reservoir:

• Length: 630 kilometers
• Maximum depth: 175 meters
• Area: 1,045 km²
• Total capacity: 39.3 billion m³ of water

2. The ship lock system - water stairs to heaven

The ship lock system is a masterpiece of transport engineering, enabling navigation despite a 113-meter difference in water levels.

System structure:

• Two parallel lock lines with 5 chambers each
• Length of each chamber: 280 meters
• Width: 34 meters
• Depth: 5 meters
• Maximum lifting height: 37 meters per chamber

Technical specifications:

• 386 metal gates of various types
• 139 hydraulic hoists
• 26 main locks
• System transit time: about 4 hours
• Annual throughput: over 100 million tons of cargo

Transport capabilities:

• Simultaneous capacity: up to 12 ships
• Maximum ship size: 3,000 tons displacement
• Annual number of transits: over 40,000 vessels
• Chamber filling speed: about 12 minutes per chamber

3. The innovative ship lift - a vertical water highway

The ship lift, the newest part of the complex, opened in 2016, is a technological marvel of the entire system.

Technical specifications:

• Lifting height: 113 meters
• Structure length: 120 meters
• Width: 18 meters
• Depth: 3.5 meters
• Structure weight: 11,200 tons

Operational capabilities:

• Lifting/lowering time: 40 minutes (compared to 4 hours in the locks)
• Maximum ship displacement: 3,000 tons
• Daily capacity: up to 30-40 vessels
• Annual transport capacity: 3 million tons of cargo

Innovative solutions:

• A counterweight system weighing 15,500 tons
• 4 carrying cables with a diameter of 77 mm each
• 256 support wheels stabilizing the structure
• Advanced vibration and oscillation compensation system

Operational data for the entire complex

Capacity:

• Annual throughput of the entire system: over 100 million tons
• Daily number of transits: on average 110 vessels
• Transport cost reduction: 35-37%
• Transport time reduction: by about 60%

Control and safety system:

• Over 30,000 monitoring points
• 12 seismic stations
• Automatic alarm system
• Redundant power and control systems

This complex infrastructure is a true triumph of modern engineering. Every element was designed for maximum efficiency and reliability, creating a system that not only controls the mighty Yangtze River but also revolutionizes water transport in the region. It is an example of how human ingenuity and determination can turn seemingly impossible challenges into reality.

Ecological and social consequences

Displacements on an unimaginable scale

One of the most controversial aspects of the project was the mass displacement of people. More than 1.24 million residents from 13 cities, 140 towns, and over 1,600 villages had to leave their homes. It was a massive logistical and social undertaking that changed entire communities’ lives. In the coming years, an additional 350,000 people are planned to be relocated to further develop water infrastructure.

Impact on the environment and biodiversity

The construction of the dam had a huge impact on the Yangtze River's ecosystem. Over 300 species of fish live in its waters, which can no longer migrate freely along the river. This dramatic change may lead to the extinction of many species, including the endangered Chinese river dolphin and ancient metasequoia. The reservoir created by the dam also flooded 1,300 archaeological sites, permanently destroying the region's cultural heritage.

Water quality and pollution issues

Another serious problem is water quality. Already, more than 70% of surface waters in China are polluted, and the dam's construction has exacerbated this issue. Many cities had to abandon plans to use water from the Yangtze, deeming it too contaminated. The dam’s environmental impact remains a highly controversial topic, requiring further research and monitoring.

Awards and recognitions

The Three Gorges Dam has gained international acclaim for its monumental scale and engineering significance. In 2009, the project received the prestigious "Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement" award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). This recognition highlighted not only the dam's complex construction but also the use of advanced technologies in water resource management and renewable energy production. In 2010, the dam was also honored as one of the "Engineering Wonders of the 21st Century" by the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research.

Films and books

Due to its size and impact on the region, the Three Gorges Dam has been the backdrop of many documentaries and books. One of the most well-known documentaries is "Up the Yangtze" directed by Yung Chang. The film tells the stories of people affected by forced relocations and offers a glimpse into the changing landscape in the shadow of this giant structure. In the book "When a Billion Chinese Jump," author Jonathan Watts discusses environmental challenges, including the impact of the Three Gorges Dam, focusing on the massive transformations occurring in China.

In popular science literature, the dam has inspired reflections on engineering and environmental change in the book "The Water Kingdom: A Secret History of China" by Philip Ball, which highlights the significance of water in China's history and how this great project has altered its course.

Secrets and curiosities

Satellite navigation assistance. Few people know that the Three Gorges Dam is so large that it can be seen from space. The structure has become a reference point for some satellite navigation systems, proving the enormous impact of this project on our understanding of Earth's geography.

Acoustic effects at the dam. An interesting phenomenon is the unique acoustic effect heard near the dam. When water flows through the turbine channels, it creates low-frequency sounds that are compared to nature's noises. Some local residents describe them as the "singing of the river," which has inspired artists to create sound installations based on these unique tones.

Urban legends and ghost stories. There are numerous urban legends and ghost stories surrounding the dam. Many displaced residents claim that at night, voices and whispers can be heard from beneath the reservoir's waters, which flooded former villages and valuable archaeological sites. Local folklore suggests that the souls of those who had to leave their homes still linger around the area, giving the dam an aura of mystery.

Unusual flora and fauna. The creation of the reservoir has led to unusual changes in the region's flora and fauna. For example, artificial islands have become new habitats for some bird species. Interestingly, a new species of algae was discovered that grows only in the reservoir's shaded parts, adapting to the new aquatic environment.

Impact on earth's rotation. A surprising fact is that the mass of water held by the dam has affected the planet's rotation. According to NASA scientists, the mass shift has lengthened the day by 0.06 microseconds and shifted the Earth's axis by 2 cm. While these changes are imperceptible to humans, they demonstrate the power of this construction.

Seismic risk. The dam's structure is designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 7 on the Richter scale. However, scientists warn that the mass of water pressing on the Earth's crust may increase seismic activity in the region. There are even theories that the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which killed 87,000 people, may have been triggered by the dam's reservoir filling, though official reports do not confirm this.

The future of the Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam still evokes many emotions and controversies. While the project has brought many benefits, such as reducing floods, boosting trade, and lowering carbon emissions, its impact on the environment and people remains ambiguous. The future will show whether investments in green energy and additional environmental protection projects can mitigate the negative consequences of this enormous structure.

This dam is an impressive construction that has not only revolutionized China's water economy but also sparked global discussions about balancing progress and environmental protection.