China is host to some of the world’s most amazing engineering marvels, and its dam network demonstrates the country’s expertise in infrastructure development. These dams, which prioritize flood control, irrigation, generation of hydroelectricity, and water resource management, are critical to supporting China’s fast economic expansion while tackling the issues faced by its enormous river systems.

List of the Top 10 Largest Dams in China

1. Three Gorges Dam
2. Xiaolangdi Dam
3. Gezhouba Dam
4. Xiluodu Dam
5. Jinping-I Dam
6. Longtan Dam
7. Ertan Dam
8. Liujiaxia Dam
9. Nuozhadu Dam
10. Banqiao Dam

1. Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam, built on China’s Yangtze River in 2006, is one of the world’s largest and most contentious hydroelectric projects. It is almost 2 kilometers long and stands 185 meters tall, and it has an incredible potential to create clean energy, with 32 main turbines able to produce over 22,500 megawatts of power each year. Aside from electricity generation, the dam plays important roles in flood control, navigation enhancement, and water handling in the Yangtze River basin.

However, the Three Gorges Dam’s development and operation have been hampered by environmental concerns, the displacement of millions of people, and ecological consequences for the region’s biodiversity. Critics have expressed concern over increasing landslides, sedimentation, and the destruction of downstream habitats. Despite these problems, supporters claim that the dam’s advantages in flood mitigation, renewable energy generation, and economic growth exceed its disadvantages.

The Three Gorges Dam remains a symbol of China’s desire to use its natural resources for economic expansion while navigating the complicated trade-offs between environmental sustainability and infrastructural development.

2. Xiaolangdi Dam

The Xiaolangdi Dam, located on the Yellow River in China, is a significant engineering marvel that was finished in 2001. The dam, which was primarily constructed for flood control, pollution management, and hydroelectric power generation, is an important part of China’s attempts to alleviate the Yellow River’s historically severe floods. Its novel design incorporates a number of floodgates and sluices that are strategically managed to regulate water flow and wash debris downstream, lowering the danger of floods and minimizing sedimentation in lower reservoirs and channels.

In addition to flood management, the Xiaolangdi Dam creates renewable energy through its hydroelectric plant, helping to meet China’s rising need for clean electricity. The dam’s reservoir also supports irrigation and supplies water to agricultural and urban communities in the surrounding regions, improving water security and encouraging sustainable development.

Despite its accomplishments, the Xiaolangdi Dam has had difficulties, including worries about its effect on downstream ecosystems and the relocation of local populations during construction. However, its overall advantages in flood control, sediment management, and renewable energy generation highlight its significance in China’s water resource management infrastructure.

3. Gezhouba Dam

The Gezhouba Dam, located on the Yangtze River downstream of the Three Gorges Dam, is an important hydropower project completed in 1988. While less in size than its famous neighbor, it is critical for flood management, navigation enhancement, and power generation. The dam’s construction was an early step in China’s ambitious intentions to harness the Yangtze’s hydroelectric potential. Having an elevation of 70.4 meters and an overall length of 2,560 meters, the Gezhouba Dam creates a reservoir that helps manage water flow along the Yangtze, lowering the danger of floods during periods of heavy water discharge. Its hydroelectric power station, which has 21 turbines and an installed capacity of 2,715 megawatts, makes a substantial contribution to the region’s electrical supply.

Along with its primary purposes, the Gezhouba Dam aids traffic along the Yangtze River by providing a ship lock that allows vessels to bypass the dam and continue upstream. The dam, like many large-scale infrastructure projects, has been criticized for its environmental effects, which include disturbances to local ecosystems and worries about sedimentation upstream.

4. Xiluodu Dam

The Xiluodu Dam, built on the Jinsha River in southern China’s Yunnan Province, is one of the nation’s most remarkable hydroelectric projects. It was finished in 2013. With a height of 278 meters, it is one of the world’s highest dams and marks an impressive achievement of engineering and construction. The dam creates a large reservoir that extends upstream, giving flood prevention, water storage, and hydroelectricity-generating benefits to the region.

The Xiluodu Dam’s power plant is equipped with 18 Francis turbines and has a total capacity of 13,860 megawatts, which makes it one of China’s greatest hydroelectric plants. This massive production capacity greatly contributes to China’s renewable energy targets while also meeting the region’s expanding electricity demand. Beyond its power-producing function, the Xiluodu Dam has ramifications for water resource management, ecological protection, and regional development. However, its development has sparked worries about environmental consequences, including habitat destruction, sedimentation, and changes in downstream flow regimes.

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5. Jinping-I Dam

The Jinping-I Dam, located on the Yalong River in southwestern China’s Sichuan Province, is a massive hydropower project completed in 2013. Originally part of the Jinping Hydropower Station, it is one of the world’s tallest arch dams at 305 meters. This magnificent structure utilizes the Yalong River’s great strength to create clean electricity while also benefiting the region with flood protection and water resource management.

The Jinping-I Dam’s power plant has 16 Francis turbines and a total operational capacity of 6,800 megawatts, making it a substantial contributor to China’s green energy portfolio. The dam’s reservoir, which extends upstream, serves several functions, including preventing flooding, irrigation, and public water supply for adjacent municipalities. Despite its engineering skills and economic advantages, the Jinping-I Dam has not been without criticism. Its development has resulted in the relocation of local residents and created environmental issues. The Jinping-I Dam demonstrates China’s commitment to sustainable growth and its capacity to undertake complicated infrastructure projects to fulfill the country’s expanding energy needs while balancing environmental concerns.

6. Longtan Dam

The Longtan Dam, situated on the Hongshui River in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is a substantial hydropower project that was completed in 2009. Considered one of China’s largest dams, it is an important part of the country’s attempts to increase renewable energy generation and fulfill rising electricity demand.

Spanning a height of 216.5 meters and a length of around 849 meters, the Longtan Dam creates a massive reservoir that extends upstream, offering flood control, water preservation, and hydroelectric power generation advantages to the region. Installed with nine Francis turbines, the dam’s generator has a total installed power output of 6,426 megawatts, making it a considerable contributor to China’s renewable energy system. The Longtan Dam’s construction has aided economic growth in the region by creating job opportunities and upgrading infrastructure. The dam also plays an important role in the administration of water resources, irrigation, and transportation along the Hongshui River.

7. Ertan Dam

The Ertan Dam, located on the Yalong River in China’s southern Sichuan Province, was completed in 1999 and is considered one of the country’s early milestones in large-scale hydroelectric development. With a height of 240 meters, it is a tremendous engineering feat, harnessing the force of the Yalong River to generate clean and sustainable energy.

The dam’s construction resulted in the establishment of a massive reservoir, which provided the region with services such as flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. The Ertan Dam power facility, which is equipped with six Francis turbines, has an installed capacity of 3,300 megawatts, helping China diversify its energy mix and minimize dependency on fossil fuels. Aside from electricity generation, the Ertan Dam has aided regional economic growth by creating jobs and supporting infrastructural developments. It has also improved water resource management and irrigation capacities, which benefit local populations and agriculture.

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8. Liujiaxia Dam

The Liujiaxia Dam, built on the Yellow River in China’s Gansu Province, is a watershed moment in the country’s attempts to utilize river resources for hydroelectric power generation and water management. Completed in 1969, the dam is one of China’s first large-scale hydroelectric dams, providing a variety of functions such as flood control, irrigation, and energy generation.

Boasting a height of 147 meters and a length of around 1,317 meters, the Liujiaxia Dam creates a large reservoir that extends upstream, benefiting the region in the areas of water supply, agriculture, and electricity production. The dam’s power plant, which has six Francis turbines, has a total capacity in operation of 1,225 megawatts and contributes considerably to the local and national electrical grids. The Liujiaxia Dam has been critical to Gansu Province’s economic development, supplying stable energy to cities, industry, and agricultural operations. It has also helped manage water flow along the Yellow River, lowering the risk of flooding and ensuring water supply for downstream consumers.

9. Nuozhadu Dam

The Nuozhadu Dam, completed in 2012, is one of China’s major hydroelectric projects. It is located on the Lancang River (the upper sections of the Mekong River) in Yunnan Province. With a height of 261.5 meters, it is one of China’s highest dams, harnessing the flow of the Lancang River to generate clean, renewable power.

The dam creates a large reservoir that continues upstream, providing flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation to the region. The Nuozhadu Dam’s power plant, which is powered by nine Francis turbines, has an exceptional installed capacity of 5,850 megawatts, considerably contributing to China’s renewable energy objectives and regional growth. In addition to electricity generation, the Nuozhadu Dam helps with water resource management, agriculture, and navigation on the Lancang River. Its construction has also boosted Yunnan Province’s economic development by providing jobs and supporting infrastructure upgrades.

10. Banqiao Dam

The Banqiao Dam in Henan Province, China, is well-known for being the location of one of history’s deadliest dam disasters. Completed in 1952, it was first praised as a symbol of China’s architectural skill, with the main goal of controlling floods and irrigation on the Ru River (a tributary of the Yellow).

However, in August 1975, excessive rains from Typhoon Nina caused the dam to collapse catastrophically. The resultant floodwaters overtook downstream settlements, causing one of the most terrible disasters in recent history. Estimates of the death toll vary greatly, with official statistics indicating roughly 26,000 deaths; however, some sources say the number might be substantially higher. The Banqiao Dam accident triggered a global revaluation of dam safety policies, emphasizing the necessity of stringent technical standards and catastrophe planning. In China, it prompted considerable modifications in dam design and management, highlighting the importance of comprehensive risk assessment and emergency response plans. 

Despite its devastating legacy, the Banqiao Dam tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the possible repercussions of infrastructure failures and the significance of putting safety first in large-scale engineering projects.

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Conclusion

China’s top-10 dams are a magnificent example of engineering innovation, environmental responsibility, and economic success. From the renowned Three Gorges Dam to the lesser-known but equally significant Banqiao Dam, these constructions have changed the country’s environment while acting as accelerators for growth. As China pursues ambitious goals for sustainable development, dams will remain critical components of its search for wealth and resilience in the face of changing environmental and socioeconomic problems.

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