The Three Gorges Dam: 20 Years of Transformation, A Giant Dragon Takes Flight, Is It Worth It?

The Three Gorges Dam: 20 Years of Transformation, A Giant Dragon Takes Flight, Is It Worth It? The Three Gorges Dam officially went into operation in 2003. This massive water control project has been controversial from the outset

The Three Gorges Dam: 20 Years of Transformation, A Giant Dragon Takes Flight, Is It Worth It?

The Three Gorges Dam officially went into operation in 2003. This massive water control project has been controversial from the outset. Some call it a great project that will benefit future generations, while others consider it a 250 billion yuan "mess." Today, the Three Gorges Dam has been in operation for 20 years. What value has it created? Is it worth it?

I. The Awakening of a Giant Dragon: The Economic Benefits of the Three Gorges Dam

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam was the largest, most expensive, and most complex water control project ever undertaken in China since its founding. The total investment in the project exceeded 200 billion yuan, involving over 20 million cubic meters of concrete pouring and 2.1 million tons of steel for the dam construction. Such a huge investment naturally brought enormous financial pressure.

1. Electricity Revenue: A Giant Power Plant, Lighting Up Millions of Homes

One of the core values of the Three Gorges Dam lies in its powerful power generation capacity. The Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station has a power generation capacity of over 20 million kilowatts, generating nearly 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, making it the world's largest hydroelectric power station in terms of power generation capacity. By the end of 2021, the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station had produced over 1.3 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, which, at 0.25 yuan per kilowatt-hour, translates to 325 billion yuan in economic benefits.

2. Tourism Revenue: A Landscape Painting, Attracting Tourists from All Over

The completion of the Three Gorges Dam has also brought enormous tourism value to the Three Gorges region. Its magnificent landscape attracts countless tourists to visit. It is estimated that the Three Gorges region has generated over 20 billion yuan in tourism revenue over the past 20 years.

3. Economic Benefit Analysis: Huge Investment, Bright Future

It is worth noting that the cost of the Three Gorges Dam includes not only the initial construction investment but also subsequent expenditures such as relocation of residents and maintenance of the reservoir area. According to statistics, the Three Gorges Dam directly inundated or affected 20 towns and nearly 700 villages, requiring the relocation of up to 1.2 million people. The central and local governments have invested nearly 100 billion yuan to properly relocate these residents. Additionally, the maintenance of the reservoir area, such as bank protection, also requires considerable financial investment.

Despite the huge investment in the Three Gorges Dam, its economic benefits are also quite significant. Experts have calculated that even if all costs are included, the Three Gorges Dam needs to operate for at least another 10 years to achieve genuine financial balance. However, the significance of the Three Gorges Dam cannot be simply measured by money. The enormous benefits it has yielded in flood control, drought mitigation, and water resource optimization are difficult to quantify.

II. Strategic Significance: The Giant Dragon Takes Flight, Promoting National Development

The Three Gorges Dam has not only created enormous economic benefits but also plays an irreplaceable strategic role in many areas related to national well-being.

1. Controlling Water Resources: The Belly of the Dragon, Regulating Water Veins

One of the most critical purposes of the construction of the Three Gorges Dam was to rationally control the Yangtze River and achieve optimized allocation of water resources. The upper reaches of the Yangtze River hold 80% of the entire river basin's water energy resources, while the middle and lower reaches account for over 90% of the entire river basin's population and cultivated land. The Three Gorges Reservoir, as the main water source for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, can provide nearly 20 billion cubic meters of high-quality water every year, representing over 80% of the annual water diversion volume of the middle route project. Without the Three Gorges Dam, strategic projects like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project would be difficult to implement. It is evident that the Three Gorges Dam is not merely a power station but also a national water regulation hub.

2. Enhancing Shipping Conditions: The Dragon's Passage, Connecting North and South

The completion of the Three Gorges Dam has significantly improved shipping conditions in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. After the dam's construction, the navigable distance between Yichang and Chongqing was shortened by 150 kilometers, ship tonnage increased nearly tenfold, annual freight volume increased nearly fivefold, and shipping sales increased sixfold. More importantly, with the realization of "direct access from the Yangtze River to the sea," minerals, energy, and agricultural products in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River can be directly transported to coastal ports via water transportation and then sold to the rest of the world, significantly boosting the development of the entire Yangtze Economic Belt.

3. Improving the Ecological Environment: The Dragon's Clear Waves, Nourishing All Things

In recent years, the sediment load in the main stream of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River has decreased by over 90%, water quality has significantly improved, and the aquatic ecological environment has generally improved. The Three Gorges Dam has played a significant role in water resource management and ecological environment improvement.

4. Resisting Natural Disasters: The Dragon's Protection, Ensuring Peace of Mind

The Three Gorges Dam also plays a crucial role in flood control and drought mitigation. Through scientific regulation, the Three Gorges Reservoir can store upstream water, increase the amount of water resources available in the middle and lower reaches, effectively resist floods and droughts, and safeguard the production and life of residents in the Yangtze River basin.

III. Future Outlook: The Dragon's Soul, Continuing the Legacy

The Three Gorges Dam is not a short-term project but a century-long endeavor that benefits the present and future generations. According to the design, the main structure of the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station has a design service life of 100 years, and the concrete structures within it have a service life of over 300 years, meaning it will continue to generate benefits and serve the Chinese nation for a considerable period of history.

IV. Social Impact: The Dragon's Shadow, Inspiring the Future

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam is not only a technological marvel but also a testament to the unity and hard work of the Chinese people. During the project construction, countless scientists, builders, and managers overcame countless difficulties, conquered numerous technological challenges, and showcased the intelligence and strength of the Chinese people.

The success of the Three Gorges Dam has also accumulated valuable experience for China's water control project construction, providing solid support for the future development of China's water conservancy industry.

V. Conclusion: The Dragon's Song, The Anthem of the Times

Over the course of 20 years of development, the Three Gorges Dam, with its enormous comprehensive benefits and profound strategic significance, has left a significant mark in the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This grand project has not only created massive material wealth in flood control, drought mitigation, water resource optimization, and clean energy development but also demonstrated the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people in overcoming difficulties and forging ahead, literally translates to "gathering the surging power of national rejuvenation").

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam is a milestone on the path to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It carries the wisdom, sweat, and dreams of the Chinese people and will continue to contribute to the prosperity and development of the Chinese nation.

VI. References:

1. Jin Tou Net: (It has recouped its investment and is now profitable! The Three Gorges Dam, with an investment of nearly 250 billion yuan, earns 100 million yuan a day just from electricity charges.)

2. China Three Gorges Group Website

3. Three Gorges Dam Construction Management Bureau Website

VII. Relevant Materials:

[Image Screenshot](https://www.example.com/image.jpg)

[Video Link](https://www.example.com/video.mp4)

[Relevant Website Link](https://www.example.com)

VIII. Expert Opinions:

"The construction of the Three Gorges Dam is a milestone on the path to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It carries the wisdom, sweat, and dreams of the Chinese people and will continue to contribute to the prosperity and development of the Chinese nation."- Academician xxx, Chinese Academy of Engineering

"The economic and social benefits of the Three Gorges Dam are immeasurable. It has provided valuable experience for the development of China's water conservancy industry and made significant contributions to China's economic and social development."- Water conservancy expert xxx

IX. Summary

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])