(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.
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.
Flood control along Yangtze cannot solely rely on Three Gorges Project, warns expert
(June 15, 2007) The Three Gorges Project is not yet ready to provide flood protection for every community downstream of the giant dam, says a Chinese expert who warned that major flooding could occur this summer.
Vice premier calls to strengthen flood-control
(May 27, 2007) Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has called for strengthened efforts in flood control and disaster relief in a season of heavy rains and floods in the Yangtze River, China’s longest.
Heaviest floods since 1998 could hit Yangtze valley
(May 24, 2007) The most "severe floods" since 1998 might hit the Yangtze River this summer, a senior flood-control official warned yesterday.
Yangtze drought leaves 1 mln people short of water
(February 27, 2007) Severe drought has had a debilitating effect on the Yangtze River, China’s longest waterway, over the last two weeks, leaving 1.5 million people in Chongqing Municipality with water shortages, local water authorities said on Monday.
Flood, drought fears in a haywire climate
(February 23, 2007) China is on alert this year for the extremes of natural disasters. Water Resources Vice Minister E Jingping has warned local governments of the increasing possibility of floods in major rivers, and droughts elsewhere.
Largest network for monitoring sinking land OK’d
(February 10, 2007) China’s largest network for monitoring land subsidence, or land sinking, has passed appraisal tests, the China Geological Survey, a bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources, said yesterday.
Water level in Yangtze River continues to fall
(August 25, 2006) The water level in the Yangtze River’s middle and lower reaches continues to fall and is threatening navigation along the waterway.
Yangtze River suffers rare drought in flood season
(August 14, 2006) The Yangtze is in the grip of a rare drought, with water in many sections of the river at historically low levels. Navigation authorities have reinforced patrols along the waterway, warning vessels against running aground.
Drought alert for parched Sichuan
(August 14, 2006) Lack of rain and heatwave making safe drinking water scarce.
Severe floods expected to put new dam to the test
(May 27, 2003) Abnormally heavy flooding on the Yangtze River this summer is expected to put the newly built Three Gorges dam to its first major test.
Flood types on the Yangtze River
(September 12, 2002) The big dam will be ‘totally useless’ in the face of the most common type of Yangtze flood, a senior Chinese Academy of Sciences researcher writes.
Water official raises Yangtze flood-control concerns
(December 20, 2001) A senior Chinese water official has raised concerns about flood control on the Yangtze River, even after the Three Gorges dam is built.
Heavy rain causes cracks of Yangtze River banks
(December 5, 2000) Continuous heavy rain over the past few days have caused a section of the Yangtze River to burst its banks in Yueyang, a city in central China’s Hunan Province, a local water resources official confirmed on Thursday.
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