Three Gorges Project is the largest hydro-electric project in the world at scale,Passessing the benefits of comprehensive utilization mainly on flood control, power generation and navigation improvement ,it will be a vital and backbone project in hamessing and developing of the Yangtze River.
Dam Site Sandouping.Yichang City.Its foundation is granite and the river valley is open and broad,with the help of a small islet-Zhongbaodao in the River,if is much easier to divert the River and build the Dam.
PhaseI 1993-1997. by taking advantage of the islet to build the open diversion channel &start constructing the temporary ship lock and the permanent navigation facilities.
1997-2003. dammed main river course,to build the spillway.the intake dam and the powerbouse on the left bank and the double-lane five-stage shiplock was also constructed.
2003-2009. to close the diversion channel to build the right bank dam and powerhouse,impourd the water in the veservoir to an elevation of 135m, the left bank powerstation and permanent shiplock is starting operation.
2009,the whole water conservancy project shall be completed.Reservoir will rise to 175M,26 sets of generators in full operation,the ship-lift and shiplock are open to navigation.