Development of the Long River Basin and the Three Gorges Dam Project in China

Abstract

The Long River has a main stem length of 6, 380km and a discharge area of 1.8×106km2 which is almost one fifth of the China. The development of the Long River basin has a long history with succsessful results, because of its plentiful of water resources and regional conditions. Recently, the Three Gorges Dam Project is planned at the middle point of the river system. This new dam project in the Long River basin seems to have close relation with the national development master plan of the China. This paper introduces the feature of the Long River, present status of the resources and industries of China, and the Three Gorges Dam Project.