Advantages of Three Gorges Dam - Flood Control

Advantages of Three Gorges Dam – Store Water in End of Flood Season, Supply Water in Dry Season

The giant flood control capacity is one of the most obvious advantages of Three Gorges Dam. The flood discharge of Three Gorges Reservoir in flood season is scientific management which gives attention to the flood control situation in the upstream and downstream, gives attention to the flood control demand at present and in future. In the first half year of 2010, the Three Gorges Reservoir had 104 days in navigation water supply state. Although the rainfall in the Yangtze River almost dry, the navigation and domestic water in the downstream of the Yangtze River was not affected.

Advantages of Three Gorges Dam – Improved Flood Control Capacity

Coordinate with Danjiangkou Reservoir and the flood diversion areas around Wuhan, the Three Gorges Dam can prevent the flood season water level in Wuhan losing control. It can release the threat of flood to Dongting Lake area, defer the solid siltation in Dongting Lake, and extend the life range of Dongting Lake. It also can increase the reliability and flexibility of flood control management in the middle and down stream of the Yangtze River, which will be beneficial for dealing with various conditions.

Advantages of Three Gorges Dam – Flood Control for Yangtze River Downstream

The flood control function of Three Gorge Dam covers the middle and downstream of the Yangtze River, while the important areas are the Jingjiang River area and the areas around Chenglingji, where are the areas flood control function most obvious. The flood control function in the areas below Chenglingji progressively decreased as for the distance to Three Gorges Dam is more and more far.

The water amount in the flood season of the Yangtze River is 70 percents to 80 percents of the whole runoff in one year. This feature makes that the Three Gorges Dam can not retain all water in flood season. It must be scientifically managed based on the specific situation at that time. That is continuously using restrain – discharge – restrain to make the limited flood control capacity can be mostly used and reused.

Advantages of Three Gorges Dam – Actively Take Precautions

After the Three Gorges Dam built, flood can directly reach the Three Gorges Dam, but can not directly pass by the Three Gorges Dam. It must be steadily discharge according to the flood control management in the upstream and downstream of the Yangtze River.