PROJECT COST:

In 1990, the project was initially estimated to cost US$12 billion (¥90.09 billion).
However, more recent estimates have escalated to $27 billion (¥223 billion). A
significant portion of this budget, nearly half, is dedicated to the resettlement of
hundreds of villages and towns situated along the river's edge.
If the project's cost continues to increase at the same rate—by a factor of 2.25
every 10 years—it is plausible that the final cost could reach $50 billion by the
project's completion. This would make it one of the most expensive construction
projects in history.
Benefits of the Three Gorges Dam Construction
1.Flood Control:
The Three Gorgeous Dam Construction will enable precise control of the Yangtze
River, reducing flood severity by 90%, thereby protecting lives and property.
2.Power Generation:
With 26 turbines, the TGDP is expected to generate 18,200 MW annually,
providing 15% of China's electricity, equivalent to 50 million tons of coal or 18
nuclear plants, producing 84 billion kWh per year.
3.Navigation Improvement:
The Three Gorgeous Dam Construction will accommodate 10,000-ton ships to
Chongqing, increasing annual navigation capacity from 10 million to 50 million
tons and reducing costs by 35-37%. Chongqing, with nearly 15 million people, will
become the world's largest "seaport."
4.Other Benefits:
The project will boost fishery development, tourism, and recreation. It will also
improve water quality during the dry season and support south-to-north water
transfer projects.

Negative Effects of the Three Gorges Dam Construction:

1. Displacement and Flooding:
 Flooding of Communities:
The creation of the reservoir will inundate 13
cities 140 towns, 1,352 villages, and 657 factories, resulting in significant and
irreversible economic, social, and cultural losses. The infrastructure of these
submerged communities will pose a pollution problem as it deteriorates
underwater.
 Mass Resettlement:
Nearly two million people will be displaced from their
homes, severing their ties to their ancestral lands and causing social
instability as they become part of new "river refugee" communities. This
resettlement process can lead to significant psychological and economic
challenges for the displaced populations.
 Loss of Farmland:
Approximately 75,000 acres of the region's best
agricultural and cultivated farmland will be flooded, forcing farmers to
relocate to and cultivate lesser quality lands, which may reduce
agricultural productivity and affect local food supplies.
 Destruction of Cultural Sites:
The reservoir will submerge over 110 sites of cultural
and historical significance, leading to the permanent loss of these
heritage sites.
2. Environmental Impact:
 Ecological Disruption:
The dam will alter the entire ecological system of the
Yangtze River, negatively impacting the environment. The obstruction of
the river’s natural flow and the inundation of hundreds of acres of land
will destroy habitats crucial for many species

 Threat to Wildlife:
 The environmental changes induced by the dam will
threaten the river's wildlife, including several endangered species. Fish
species, the Yangtze dolphin, the Chinese sturgeon, the Chinese tiger, the
Chinese alligator, the Siberian crane, and the giant panda are particularly
at risk due to habitat destruction and changes in the river’s ecosystem.
 Pollution Concerns:
Cities like Chongqing will discharge large amounts of
sewage and toxic waste into the reservoir, turning it into a "cesspool."
This pollution poses significant health risks to millions of people living in
the Yangtze basin, as there are no allocated funds for water treatment.
 Impact on Aquatic Life:
Pollution and slow-moving water could also threaten
fish, reptiles, and other wildlife dependent on the river. Nearly 80 species
of fish, along with the Yangtze dolphin, finless porpoise, and Chinese
sturgeon, face increased risk of endangerment.
3. Sediment and Silt Issues:
 Sediment Buildup:
Heavy sediment buildup in the reservoir will continue to
hinder navigation, reducing the effectiveness of the dam’s intended
navigation benefits. This sediment can also cause water levels to rise at
the reservoir’s opposite end, potentially submerging parts of Chongqing.
 Loss of Fertile Silt:
Downstream regions will be deprived of the fertile silt
that the Yangtze River traditionally carries. This loss of silt will impact agricultural
productivity downstream and contribute to the imbalance in overburden pressure
on soil strata, which can increase the risk of earthquakes and landslides,
threatening the dam’s stability.
4. Flood Control and Economic Concerns:
 Overstated Flood Control:
The flood control benefits of the dam are overstated, as the reservoirs
can only store a fraction of the floodwaters entering the Yangtze during
peak-flow years.
 Economic Diversion:
Funds allocated to the Three Gorges Dam could be more
beneficially used for constructing smaller dams along the Yangtze or
building new canals and branches. These alternatives could provide
additional safety outlets during floods and bring water to new areas,
potentially offering more localized benefits with less risk.
 Military Target:
The dam represents a significant military target, creating the
potential for catastrophic damage if it were to be attacked or if it failed
due to natural disasters.
 Scenery and Loss of Tourism:
The dam and the reservoir will destroy some of
China’s finest scenery, resulting in the loss of important tourism revenue
sources. This scenic destruction could have long-term economic impacts
on the region’s tourism industry.