Construction History of Three Gorges Dam

1918, Sun Zhongshan (a famous statesman and strategist of China) put forward the original concept of Three Gorges Dam in his book named Industry Plan. He said we should construct a dam to impound the water, and then make use of the water to produce energy.

1950, Yangtze River Commission was founded and the comprehensive treatment of Yangtze River was started.

1955, the Planning of Yangtze River and the exploration, scientific research and planning of Three Gorges Dam were proceeded in an all-round way. These works were basically completed at the end of 1957.

December 26, 1970, Gezhou Dam of Yangtze River was approved to be constructed. This is a planned and orderly preparatory work for the construction of Three Gorges Dam.

April 3, 1992, Resolution on Construction of Three Gorges Dam was passed on Fifth Session of the Seventh National People's Congress. The legislation of Three Gorges Dam was completed and step into the implementation phase.

September 27, 1993, Three Gorges Project Development Corporation of China was officially founded in Yichang of Hubei Province.

December 14, 1994, Prime Minister Li Peng announced that the construction of Three Gorges Dam officially start at Sandouping in Yichang.

November 8, 1997, Three Gorges Dam managed the river closure; the construction objective of the first phase was completed.

1998, the second phase construction of Three Gorges Dam started.

2000, the generating units installment of Three Gorges Dam started.

October 21, 2002, construction of the most important discharge dam of Three Gorges Dam finished. The dam reached the designed height – 185 meters above the sea level.

November 7, 2002, the biggest hydro-generator units in the world were hoisted successfully. This marked the first giant units were basically installed and stepped into the assembly phase.

December 16, 2002, the pouring construction of the roller compacted concrete cofferdam started.

April 11, 2003, the temporary ship lock of Three Gorges stopped operation. The navigation of Three Gorges Area was planned to stop for 67 days.

April 27, 2003, the second phase of migrant project of Three Gorges Dam be checked and accepted by the country smoothly. This marked migrant work of Three Gorges Dam managed great achievement in phasal sense.

May 21, 2003, the second phase of Three Gorges Dam met the requirement of raising the water level of Three Gorges Reservoir to 135 meters and navigation.

2006, Three Gorges Dam raised its water level of Three Gorges Reservoir to 156 meters.

2009, all the construction of Three Gorges Dam were completed.

2012, Three Gorges Dam raised the water level of Three Gorges Reservoir to 175 meters.