Who built the Three Gorges Dam?

I'm an expert in the field of civil engineering and infrastructure development. It's a fascinating subject that encompasses the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works like dams. The Three Gorges Dam is one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever undertaken, and it stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the power of collective effort.

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam began in 1994 and was completed in 2009. It was built by the People's Republic of China, specifically by the state-owned enterprise known as the Three Gorges Corporation, which was responsible for the planning, construction, and management of the dam. The project was a massive undertaking, involving thousands of workers and engineers, and it was carried out with the support of various government departments and agencies.

The Three Gorges Dam is located on the Yangtze River, which is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world. The dam spans the river at a strategic location between the towns of Sandouping and Wushan in China's Hubei province. It is designed to serve multiple purposes, including flood control, power generation, and navigation enhancement.

The concept of building a dam at the Three Gorges dates back to the early 20th century, as you mentioned, with Sun Yat-sen envisioning such a project in his 1919 publication "The International Development of China." Sun, a revolutionary and founding father of the Republic of China, believed that harnessing the power of the Yangtze River could provide significant economic and social benefits to the nation.

The dam's design and construction involved cutting-edge technology and innovative engineering solutions. It is the world's largest power station in terms of installed capacity, with a total of 22,500 megawatts generated by its hydroelectric turbines. This immense power output makes a significant contribution to China's energy supply and helps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.

In addition to its power generation capabilities, the Three Gorges Dam plays a crucial role in flood control. The Yangtze River has historically been prone to devastating floods, which have caused immense loss of life and property. The dam's reservoir can store excess water during the rainy season, thereby mitigating the risk of floods downstream.

The construction of the dam also improved navigation along the Yangtze River. With the creation of a series of locks, ships can now navigate more easily between the upper and lower reaches of the river, facilitating trade and transportation.

However, the Three Gorges Dam has also been a subject of controversy. The project necessitated the relocation of over a million people who lived in the areas that were flooded by the dam's reservoir. There were also concerns about the dam's impact on the local ecosystem and cultural heritage sites.

In conclusion, the Three Gorges Dam is a monumental achievement in civil engineering, showcasing the capabilities of modern technology and the determination of the Chinese government and people to harness the power of their natural resources for the betterment of society. It is a complex project with both significant benefits and challenges, reflecting the multifaceted nature of large-scale infrastructure development.

A large dam across the Yangtze River was originally envisioned by Sun Yat-sen in The International Development of China, in 1919. He stated that a dam capable of generating 30 million horsepower (22 GW) was possible downstream of the Three Gorges.