Three George’s Dam Effect on China’s Water Infrastructure and Human Life

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Bentley University

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 Introduction
The last several decades have seen China expand at the quickest rate in the world, and
investment-led growth has been a defining characteristic of Chinese prosperity. Massive
physical infrastructure development has supported China's high rate of economic
expansion and enhanced manufacturing competitiveness. In this context, from 1975 to
onwards, we look into how China's infrastructure contributed to economic growth. Overall,
the findings show that the labor force, infrastructure stocks, and governmental and private
investments have all contributed significantly to China's economic growth.
In the early 21 st Century, this tremendous structure reshaped the China's water
infrastructure, leaving an indelible impact on the life of its citizens. The three Gorges
Dams embody a complex interplay of benefits and challenges, intertwining the nation’s
quest for the energy self-sufficiency environmental equilibrium and societal resilience. This
essay engages in a comprehensive examination of the intricate effects of the Three George
Dam, and scrutinizes not only the positive outcomes, such as hydroelectric power
generation and flood control [1], but also the nuanced and often overlooked negative
consequences, including environmental perturbations and profound societal
implications for the communities.
The present work undertakes a thorough investigation of the complex consequences of the
Three Gorges Dams, going beyond the apparent advantages such as the production of
hydroelectric power and the management of floods. It aims to examine the complex and
frequently disregarded negative effects, which include disruptions to the environment and
significant social ramifications for the local populations that are closely associated with
these imposing buildings. By doing this, this analysis hopes to advance knowledge of the
Three Gorges Dams' overall effects on China's changing socio-environmental context.
 Three George’s Dam Effect on China’s Water Infrastructure and Human Life
Our research indicates that china’s infrastructure development significantly boost the
growth more than both public and private investment combined. The unidirectional causal
relationship between infrastructure development and production growth further sports
china’s substantial infrastructure development spending from the early 1990s. Based on
china’s experience, economic policy for the emerging countries should be designed to
enhance both human capital formation and physical infrastructure in order to achieve
sustainable economic growth. It offers a thorough examination of the more nuanced and
occasionally disregarded adverse effects, such as environmental disruptions and major
social repercussions on the nearby communities of the dams.
Background and History
Early 20th-century talks about using the Yangtze River for electricity and flood control gave
rise to China's Three Gorges Dam project. Designed to meet energy requirements and
reduce floods along the Yangtze, formal planning started in the 1980s and the project was
officially approved in 1992 [7]. The dam was completed early in the twenty-first century, with
construction starting in 1994 and going through phases of operation. Though criticized for
its effects on the environment and community dislocation, the project is a representation of
China's technological might and economic aspirations. A complicated interplay between
environmental concerns and progress is embodied in the history of the Three Gorges Dam,
which represents China's pursuit of development despite obstacles. [2]
Data Analysis and Result
The project's preliminary design study was accepted by the Three Gorges Project
Construction Committee 17 in June 1993, marking the official beginning of the project's
preparation phase [5]. A multipurpose dam with an emphasis on flood control, power
generation, and navigation was the main feature of the authorized project, which was to be
built in three sections beginning in 1994 and ending in 2013. To optimize the dam's energy
output, the designs were revised in 1997, albeit somewhat, with regard to the water filling
dates. This resulted in the reservoir rising to a height of 175 meters in 2009—four years
earlier than expected (see to Table 1). The planned structure is a concrete gravity type
dam, measuring 185 meters in height (with 175 meters at normal pool or normal storage
level) and roughly 2,310 meters in width. Its projected total storage capacity is 39.3 billion
cubic meters, with 22.1 billion cubic meters designated for flood control19. From the current
10-year frequency flood 20 to a 100-year frequency flood, the Three Gorges Dam would be
able to greatly expand the flood control capacity, according to the project design. 26 hydro
turbines with a combined producing capacity of 18,200 MW each turbine will be housed in
two electric power plants, with 14 located in the left bank power house and 12 in the right
one that will deliver an average yearly output of 84.7 billion kW per hour, making it the
largest hydroelectric plant in the world. There are 14 of them in the left bank power house
and 12 in the right. Together, they have a total generating capacity of 18,200 MW (700 MW
each turbine). A more recent adjustment to the design called for building a new
powerhouse with six 700 MW turbines underground in the right bank, increasing the Three
Gorges Dam's generating capacity to 22,400 MW (100 billion kWh). Because of the deeper
water caused by the dam, the 660 km stretch between Yichang to Chongqing will be easier
to navigate. Ships will be able to pass the dam site thanks to a two-way, five-step ship lock
and a ship lift for smaller boats, both of which will be the biggest in the world. The purpose
of this analysis is to further our understanding of the ways in which China's socio-
environmental landscape has been influenced by the construction of the Three Gorges
Dams.
Table 1: Construction Phases of three George’s Dam

Phase Year Stage of Construction Water

Level
Preparatory 1993 66
Phase
1994 Earthmoving begins, with an official opening. 66
1995 The construction of a concrete longitudinal 66
cofferdam begins, and the relocation program is
started.
Phase 1 1996 Yichang airport, the four line highway from 66
Yichang, and the Xiling bridge are all operational;
construction of the transverse cofferdams has
begun.
1997 River closure and diversion; around 100,000 66
people have been relocated.
1998 Temporary ship-lock is put into operation. 66
1999 The double-lane ship-lock excavation is complete, 66
Phase 2 and over 230,000 people have been relocated.
2000 There have been around 295,000 66
resettlements. [8]
 2001 325,000 or so individuals have been relocated. 66
2002 After 640,000 people were resettled and the 66
concrete pouring on the left bank was finished, the
diversion channel was blocked.
2003 The reservoir is filled to a pool level of 135 meters; 135
the double lane ship-lock is tested for the first time;
and the four initial generators are linked to the grid.
2004 Ten turbines are already connected to the grid, and 139
the double-lane ship-lock is placed into service.
2005 Completed left bank powerhouse with 14 139
Phase 3 operational turbines; approximately 1,000,000
people relocated.
2006 The right bank's concrete pouring is completed; the 156
reservoir is filled to a height of 156 meters;
approximately 1,200,000 people are evacuated.
2007 As anticipated, the ship-lift building begins; the 156
reservoir was supposed to be filled to a height of
156 meters.
2008 The reservoir is anticipated to fill to a pool level of 175
175 m, and 26 turbines will be fully operational.
2009 The intended year for project completion; ship lift 175
operations are anticipated.
2011 It is anticipated that the subterranean power plant 175
will be connected to the grid.
2013 The initial designs called for raising the water level 175
to 175 meters.
 Result
The thorough statistical study highlights how the Three Gorges Dams have an impact on
both human lives and China's economic infrastructure. Economically speaking, the dams
have greatly aided in energy security, promoting the expansion of industry and
environmental sustainability. The beneficial effects on flood control have improved human
lives in concrete ways by lessening community susceptibility to devastating floods and
boosting resilience in general.
However, future design and management of the dams must take into account the
complications that result from the environmental effects, including habitat loss and
ecosystem changes. The data also emphasizes the persistent socioeconomic problems that
communities that have experienced forced relocation must deal with, which calls for a
comprehensive strategy to address the human cost of major infrastructure projects. The
interdependence of economic, environmental, and social aspects is shown in this
comprehensive assessment of the data results when assessing the Three Gorges Dams'
total impact [6]. The results of this investigation offer insightful information to policymakers,
environmentalists, and community stakeholders alike, as China continues to traverse the
complex terrain of sustainable development. The management of the Three Gorges Dams
is still faced with a significant challenge: balancing the development of the economy with
environmental preservation and social well-being. This is an important lesson for future
infrastructure projects around the world.
 Discussion
As we navigate through the complex impacts of the Three Gorges Dams on human life and
economic infrastructure, we delve into their many facets. The Three Gorges Dams'
narrative is about energy transformation, economic adaptability, and the resiliency of
people facing significant change, not only about concrete and steel. We want to explore the
many facets of this enormous undertaking as we set out on this adventure, including its
economic benefits, the obstacles to human livelihoods, and the complex relationship
between development and the welfare of the people and communities impacted by the
dams.
Positive Impact
 ·Hydroelectric power generation: The main reason behind the construction of the
Three Gorges Dams. The dams supply a large amount of China's electricity needs
and make a significant contribution to the country's energy production. As a result,
there has been less need on fossil fuels, improving environmental sustainability.

 Flood Control: One of the dams' other essential roles is to regulate flooding. The
Three Gorges Dams assist in preventing destructive floods, which were a persistent
issue in the area before to their construction, by controlling the Yangtze River's
water flow. Millions of downstream residents have been shielded from the damaging
impacts of flooding because to this.
Adverse Impact
 Environmental Consequences: In spite of their many advantages, dams have
created serious environmental problems. The Yangtze River basin's biodiversity has
been impacted by habitat loss carried on by changes in the river's flow [4]. Because of
the dams' disruption of the natural ecology, some species have declined,
endangering the ecosystem's general health.

 Human Displacement: Over a million residents in the dam's reservoir region were
forcibly relocated as an outcome of the construction of the Three Gorges Dams[3] .
Concerns regarding human rights and the welfare of people compelled to relocate
 were raised by the significant social and economic effects of this mass relocation on
the impacted communities.
Conclusion
Finally, the water landscape of Chinese has undergone profound alterations as a result of
the construction of the Three Gorges Dams. Their effects on the environment as well as
society cannot be ignored, even when energy and flood control needs had been effectively
met. The present study adds to the current discussion concerning massive dam
construction projects by highlighting the necessity of taking into account the economic
advantages in a way that also protects ecosystems and human communities.
 References

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Impacts.

2. Jia, H. (2018). Flood risk management in the Yangtze River basin —Comparison of
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4. Document, O. (2021). Yangtze River Flood Control and Drought Relief Bulletin.
MWR (Ministry of Water Resources).

5. Zhou, Y. (2016). The Three Gorges Dam: Does it accelerate or delay the progress
towards eliminating transmission of schistosomiasis in China?, 5(1), 63.

6. Doucment, O. (2022). NEA (National Energy Administration), 134.

7. Zhang, X., & Dong , Z. (2016). Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on the Hydrology
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8. Huang, Y., Lin, W., & Li, S. (2018). Social Impacts of Dam-Induced Displacement
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