Technology: The Three Gorges Dam is planned to be the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. A hydroelectric dam is designed to produce electricity by harnessing the energy of water released from the reservoir to turn hydraulic turbines. The turbines convert the energy of the falling water into mechanical energy, which is used to power electric generators. Three Gorges Dam will power 26 generators with a capacity to produce 700 megawatts of power each. This incredible electricity generating facility will produce one-ninth of China’s total power output. The annual electric output from this dam is equivalent to burning 40 million tons of coal.

The construction of this project started in 1994 and is scheduled to complete in 2009. The price of this massive dam is an unofficial $72 billion dollars. The dam measures 600 feet. high, and is 1.5 miles wide. Everyday 18,000 Chinese work to complete the construction. The reservoir will stretch for 370 miles, and will ultimately raise the water level 575 ft. higher than present. Excavation for the project requires the removal of 134 million cubic yards of earth and stone. The dam will require 35.5 million cubic yards of concrete, with 354,000 tons of reinforcing steel bars.

Three Gorges Dam is harnessing the Yangtze River. This river is 3,900 miles long and is the longest river in Asia. It flows southeastward from the Kunlun Mountains of Tibet and into the East China Sea.