(June 3, 2009) Back in 2003 Probe International raised concerns that the Three Gorges dam reservoir would not have a consistent height, as resettlement planners promised, but in fact would be sloped – inundating many more thousands of people and costing millions more in losses.
UN says China dams threaten water supplies to Mekong delta farmers
(May 28, 2009) China’s construction of big hydro-power dams on the Mekong River will be a great threat to the future of the river, a significant water source for Southeast Asia, a United Nations report said. Senior experts analysed the impacts on Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta.
Quake readiness, turning the clock back to 2005
(May 27, 2009) Probe International provides a translation of Qian Gang’s examination of the Chinese government’s existing policies concerning quake readiness and disaster prevention. His story appeared just prior to the one-year anniversary of last year’s deadly Wenchuan earthquake.
Yangtze Power restructuring takes on more of 22,400-MW Three Gorges
(May 27, 2009) China’s Yangtze Power Co., operator of 22,400-MW Three Gorges Dam, is carrying out a 107.5 billion renminbi (US$15.76 billion) restructuring plan that includes acquiring full ownership of the project’s 26 operating units, totaling 18,200 MW.
An article that should not be ignored
(May 27, 2009) A Science Times article recounting the tale of an unpublished article by Li Youcai and CIO Shuheng, two Chinese scientists, warning of the potential dangers from building dams in the Dujiangyan and Zipingpu area.
Pollution harming Chinese sturgeon
(May 26, 2009) Researchers in China say a commonly used paint chemical, triphenyltin (TPT), is leaking into the Yangtze River and may be the cause of deformities and dwindling populations of wild Chinese sturgeon.
Blogger discredits claims there are two undammed rivers in China
(May 25, 2009) There’s an interesting posting over at the Asian Energy blog. The author quickly discredits claims that there are two undammed rives in China. He also credits Probe International as being one the leading voices of criticism concerning the central government’s quest to build large dams.
Asian stimulus packages should fund job-creating infrastructure
(May 24, 2009) Legislators, trade unionists and civil-society groups in Asia have urged governments to focus their stimulus packages on community-based infrastructure investments to create jobs and address poverty that has been deepened by massive retrenchments.
Three Gorges Power Corp admits hydro dams too costly
(May 23, 2009) China Three Gorges Project Corporation vice-general manager has made a stunning admission: Relocating people and protecting the environment has made large-scale hydro projects too costly to warrant further investment.
5.2-magnitude earthquake shakes northwest China
(May 22, 2009) An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter Scale jolted China’s northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 8:33 p.m. Thursday, according to China’s seismological network.
The great Three Gorges turbine sell-off
(May 21, 2009) Shares of the Yangtze Power Company – operator of the Three Gorges dam – shot higher this week after the company announced that it will acquire the remaining 18 turbines at the Three Gorges dam from its parent, China Three Gorges Project Corporation.
Three Gorges in China and Landslides
(May 19, 2009) Another landslide that took place at the Three Gorges, China on May 18 prompted me to write this post and look closer at the causes of slope instability in that area.
Bracing for the unknown
(May 14, 2009) Last year’s earthquake in China is a salutary reminder about preparing for risk in the face of uncertainty.
More landslides in the Three Gorges Dam area
(May 19, 2009) Dramatic images of the moutainside after a landslide in the Three Gorges dam area dumps around 20,000 cubic meters of rock and mud into the Yangtze River.
Indonesian dam kills hundreds of citizens
(May 19, 2009) On March 27, a 76 year-old dam collapsed on the outskirts of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, killing more than a hundred citizens and destroying hundreds of homes. The Situ Gintung dam stood 16m high and held back a lake of nearly two million cubic metres of water.
Probe International 