Construction of Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam is a concrete gravity dam across the Yangtze River in Hubei province, China, and the world's largest hydroelectric power station by installed capacity. Construction started in the 1990s, the reservoir began filling in the early 2000s, and the main works were completed in the mid-2000s, with all generators operating later. The project was built to control devastating floods, generate electricity and improve river navigation through its giant ship locks. It also required the relocation of well over a million people and flooded archaeological sites and farmland. Critics point to environmental damage, silt build-up and landslide risks around the reservoir.

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