zaro

How Many Cities Were Flooded When the Three Gorges Dam Was Built in China?

Published in Dam Submergence 2 mins read

When the Three Gorges Dam was constructed in China, 13 cities were flooded and submerged by the massive reservoir created by the project.

The Three Gorges Dam Project: A Gigantic Undertaking

The Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world, was a monumental engineering project built on the Yangtze River in China. Its primary purposes included flood control, power generation, and enhancing navigation along the river. However, the creation of the enormous Three Gorges Reservoir necessary for the dam's operation led to significant environmental and social consequences, particularly the widespread displacement of people and the submergence of numerous settlements.

Areas Submerged by the Three Gorges Reservoir

The sheer scale of the Three Gorges Dam project meant that a vast area of land, including cities, towns, and villages, had to be permanently flooded. Upon the dam's completion and the reservoir reaching its full operational level, the waters engulfed a substantial number of populated areas.

The submerged areas included:

  • 13 cities
  • 140 towns
  • Over 1,300 villages

These figures highlight the profound impact the dam had on the geography and population centers within its catchment area.

Type of Settlement Number Submerged
Cities 13
Towns 140
Villages Over 1,300

Massive Relocation Efforts

The flooding of such a vast area necessitated one of the largest population resettlement projects in history. To make way for the Three Gorges Dam and its reservoir, an estimated 1.5 million people were required to abandon their homes and relocate. This immense undertaking involved relocating entire communities, businesses, and infrastructure. As part of this process, more than 160,000 citizens were relocated even before the dam's full completion, demonstrating the ongoing nature and scale of the displacement.

The relocation process involved building new towns and cities on higher ground to accommodate the displaced populations, providing new housing, and attempting to re-establish livelihoods for those affected by the rising waters.