(December 28, 2005) The downstream cofferdam was demolished on July 1, two months ahead of schedule, Xinhua reports.

Yichang: In a string of 701 explosions, the downstream cofferdam of the world’s largest power project in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze disappeared Monday morning [July 1]. The 1,075-metre-long downstream cofferdam was blasted away in 9.5 seconds, without damaging the main dam and buildings. The demolition of the cofferdam was two months ahead of schedule. It has created conditions for the project’s water storage, navigation and power generation in 2003. The cofferdam built in 1997 consisted of two parts, to shield construction of the main structure of the dam. The upstream one was demolished last May. Protected by the cofferdams on the main river, the second phase of the Three Gorges Power Project has been under construction since November, 1997. Construction of the Three Gorges Power Project started in 1993 and is scheduled for completion in 2009.

Xinhua news agency, December 28, 2005