The builders of the Three Gorges dam intend to fill the reservoir to 156 metres above sea level one year ahead of schedule, an official project publication has revealed.
People power sinks a dam
(October 16, 2003) Fierce competition among China’s new power giants has touched off a dam-building spree in the country that already has almost half of the world’s big dams.
Raising the reservoir: Reports point to shipping problems, hydropower targets
The Chinese press provides a few more details about the sudden decision to raise the Three Gorges reservoir faster than planned.
News flash: Three Gorges reservoir to be raised four metres
The builders of the Three Gorges dam have suddenly announced a dramatic change in the project schedule: The reservoir, which was filled to the 135-metre level in June, is to be raised an additional four metres by the end of October.
Monkeys return to a degraded river
Thousands of monkeys that fled in fear as the Three Gorges reservoir began rising have returned to their native habitat on one of the Yangtze’s most beautiful tributaries. But they have come back to a much dirtier river.
Big blow to small-boat owners on the Yangtze
Certain kinds of vessels are to be barred from entering the Three Gorges reservoir, further evidence that small is not beautiful to the builders of the world’s biggest dam.
Landslide threatens 1,800 residents in Three Gorges area
(September 16, 2003) An old landslide threatens a primary school, a school for the disabled and 1,800 people living near the old county seat of Yunyang.
Experts urge action on dam problems that put lives at risk
Leading hydrologist Lu Qinkan has submitted a third petition to top authorities in Beijing, endorsed by 42 other Chinese experts, raising the alarm about three potentially disastrous problems related to the Three Gorges dam.
Keep the reservoir level at 156 metres
In a third petition to top Chinese authorities, a leading hydrologist issues an urgent appeal for the design and construction of the Three Gorges project to be re-examined.
Experts urge action on dam problems that put lives at risk
Leading Chinese hydrologist Lu Qinkan has written a third petition to top authorities in Beijing, raising the alarm about three potentially disastrous problems related to the Three Gorges dam.
SARS and falun gong provide pretexts for Three Gorges arrests
China has used both the SARS health crisis and the crackdown on the falun gong spiritual movement as reasons to detain migrants who dare to complain about the Three Gorges resettlement operation.
The slippery slope: Confusion surrounds shape of the reservoir
A lively discussion on an official Chinese Web site has highlighted an issue with potentially huge implications for Three Gorges resettlement and public safety that appears to have confused even the experts.
Hidden problems with China’s dams
(August 1, 2003) A respected Chinese publication investigates why more than one-third of the country’s dams and reservoirs are considered dangerous, and quotes a top hydropower engineer as saying, "There is something wrong with the whole management system."
Minor tremors rattle Three Gorges during reservoir filling
(June 26, 2003) ‘The real danger comes from active faults in the vicinity of the dam site,’ which is located near six fault lines, a senior engineer warns in a recent Chinese newspaper report.
Families made homeless as reservoir rises higher than planned
Two houses collapsed and dozens of others were flooded in a village near the Three Gorges dam when the reservoir water level rose higher than expected.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
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Patricia Adams and Lawrence Solomon
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