(August 29, 2007) The Three Gorges Dam project is suffering from unforeseen problems including landslides and water pollution, raising new doubts about a project that has come to symbolize the country’s effort to control its environment.
In China, New Risks Emerge At Giant Three Gorges Dam
(August 29, 2007) China’s vaunted engineering marvel, the Three Gorges Dam, drew fierce criticism during its construction for uprooting more than a million people and manhandling the Yangtze River basin. Now, a year after completion, the project has new problems — including landslides, water pollution and suggestions that the dam could contribute to the very flooding it was built to prevent.
Voith Siemens wins Yangtze hydro contract
(August 20, 2007) International Water Power & Dam Construction reports that Voith Siemens has won a US$120 million electro-mechanical equipment contract for the Jinping II hydro plant on the Yalong river, a major Yangtze tributary in western China. 4800-MW Jinping II is part of a major cascade development by Ertan Hydropower Development Corporation.
Yangtze dolphin is no more
(August 17, 2007) The Yangtze river dolphin (or baiji) made headlines last week after an international team of researchers announced the “functional extinction” of the species.
US firm supplies state-of-the-art river monitoring equipment to Three Gorges project
Sutron Corporation is supplying state-of-the-art river monitoring equipment to the Three Gorges project, according to an August 13 release from the NASDAQ-listed company.
China withdraws credit from polluting companies
(August 2, 2007) A blacklist of polluting companies, including two well known food processors, was issued by China’s environmental watchdog yesterday, which denies bank loans in attempt to punish those that flout regulations.
Three Gorges Dam withstands largest flood peak
(August 1, 2007) The Yangtze River’s highest flood peak this season has passed through the Three Gorges Dam as of Sunday. Seventeen sluice gates have been opened to keep water level below the designed 144 meters and to ease the flood pressure on the mid-lower reaches.
Poor profit growth for China Yangtze
(August 1, 2007) China Yangtze Power, operating power plants at the Three Gorges Dam, reported a measly 4.26% increase in its first-half underlying profit as gains in overall generation were hampered by narrowing margins.
Chicago engineering firm MWH awarded hydroelectric contract in China
(August 1, 2007) MWH, a Chicago-based engineering firm, has signed a deal with China’s Ertan Hydropower Development Corporation to help build the Jinping I Hydropower project on a large Yangtze tributary in Southwest China.
Flood closes down Yangtze Three Gorges ship lock
(July 30, 2007) The Yangtze River Three Gorges Navigational Bureau halted two-way traffic at the Three Gorges ship lock earlier this month as water influx into the dam measured an alarming 51,000 cubic meters per second, a result of continuous rainfall in the upper reaches. The lock, 6.4 km long and costing RMB ¥6.2 billion (USD $810 million), was built into the mountainous terrain on the northern bank of the Yangtze and has been the only navigable route past the dam since 2003.
Floods: Death toll rises as downpour continues in SW China
Thirty-five people are dead and 11 are missing as rainstorms continue to lash southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, according to the municipal flood control office.
Toxic Algae: Official warns of major algae outbreak
(July 14, 2007) The top environmental official has called for improved measures to protect the country’s lakes, warning that a major outbreak of blue-green algae may hit the nation’s three major water systems.
Three Gorges reservoir lowers water level to brace for floods stream
(July 8, 2007) The water level in the Three Gorges reservoir has been lowered to around 144 meters from 144.89 meters in order to brace for floods upstream.
Big Hydro’s market failure in China
(June 7, 2007) View report
Auditors expose flaws in Three Gorges project management
(July 6, 2007) Poor quality control and improper contract management has plagued construction of China’s Three Gorges dam, according to an official audit released last week.
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