Three Gorges Dam

(CC) Photo: George Swan
China, showing Chongqing and the Three Gorges Dam. Chongqing will be the most easterly riverport on the reservoir the dam will create.

(CC) Photo: George Swan
China, showing Chongqing, the Three Gorges Dam, Wuhan and Shanghai.

The Three Gorges Dam is a large dam constructed by the Government of China on the Yangtze River.

Goals

One of the justifications for the dam was flood control. China has been beset by costly floods which have caused considerable loss of life.

Another justification has been making riverine transportation easier on the upper reaches of the river.

Finally the dam has large hydroelectric generators.