The three main areas of the project are the dam itself, a hydroelectric station, and a system of locks. The dam is about 2,300 meters (7546 feet) long and about 115 meters (377 feet) wide. Construction of the dam consumed more than 28 million cubic meters of concrete - more than any other structure in the world. When the dam is completed, it will hold up the world's biggest water reservoir, with a pool that will sit 175 meters (574 feet) above sea level. The Three Gorges Project will also feature hydroelectric stations on both sides of the dam, and a system of locks on the left side of the dam.
The Three Gorges Project is expected to be completed by 2009. Currently construction is focused at Sandouping, which is located in the center of Xiling Gorge in the Hubei Province. When it is completed, the project will help to control area flooding, generate power, and aid in navigation. Flood control is the most crucial function of the Three Gorges Dam. With a water capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, the dam will hold a huge reservoir that will efficiently prevent flooding in the middle and lower portions of the Yangtze River. The regulated water flow will diminish the river's shallow shoals which currently emerge throughout the dry season. This will enable heavy freighters to sail directly across China's interior. Additionally, when the Three Gorges hydroelectric station is fully functional, it will generate 18,200 megawatts of power and will serve as the world's largest power station.
While the success of the first stages of the Three Gorges Project has been met with enthusiasm in China and around the globe, the project has also received its fair share of criticism, streaming back to its initial unveiling. The Three Gorges Project has aroused of controversy from historians who are upset about the historic landmarks and relics that will be lost, from environmentalists who fear the project will destroy scenic areas. While one cannot downplay the significance of these repercussions, it is reassuring to see the immense benefits that are already beginning to stream from the construction of the Three Gorges Project.
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