1. Selection Of The
Site
Sandouping, 7 km from the entrance of Xiling Gorge at the lower
reaches of the Yangtze River, was selected as the site of the Three Gorges Dam
in 1959. The river here is much bigger than it is in other area. There is a
small island named Zhongbaodao in the middle of this part of the river. It is
the best choice of the site for the dam.
2. The 1st Phase Of The
Construction: 1993 - Nov.1997
The planning of the project was
started in 1993. The actual building of the Dam started on 14 Dec. 1994.
ZhongbaoIsland was used to build dyke a to dam the river water and to connect
the right bank with the other dyke. In order to build the main part of the Dam
and the diversion channel afterwards, foundation work B and foundation work C
which is long and thin were built in the dry riverbed. At the same time, channel
construction such as Lock D started.
3. The 2nd Phase Of The Construction: Nov. 1997 -
2003
Dyke A was built and the left bank was connected to another
dyke. Later, the flood-relief dam and the main part of the Dam B for the
installation of generators were built in the dry riverbed and then, 14
generators were installed. Diversion Channel C was opened to navigation and it
was dammed again in Nov. 2002.
4. The 3rd Phase Of The
Construction: 2003-2009
Diversion channel is dammed. Dyke A is being
built and the right bank with the other dyke will be connected again. Reservoir
begins to store water and generating set B on the left side will be put into
operation. The five stage ship lock C will be put into operation. The main part
of the Dam D for installation 12 generators is being built on dry
riverbed.
5. Completion: In
2009
The height of the Three Gorges Dam will be 185 meters. That
would be the biggest dam in the world. All 26 generators will be put into
operation by 2009