Time to Pass by Three Gorges Ship Locks Will Decrease 40 Minutes

It is reported by Yangtze Three Gorges Navigation Authority that the water level in Three Gorges Reservoir has decreased to 154 meters. Based on the navigation requirement, the Three Gorges bidirectional five stages ship lock will change to four stages operation since 9 o'clock in May 24th, 2012, the ships which go down to pass by Three Gorges ship locks practice to wait a the first ship lock. It allows the ships to pass by the Three Gorges ship locks controlled in 4.2 meters sea gauge.

During the four stages ship locks operation period, the first ship lock is the ship channel. The Three Gorges Navigation Authority arranges the ships which go down through ship lock to wait at the first ship lock, to improve the efficiency. Based on statistic data, under the four stages ship locks operation condition, the single direction ship locks can work for 17 times and the time to pass by the ship locks can decrease 40 minutes

In order to fully play the water resource advantage of Three Gorges section, dig out the potential of sea gauge to effectively improve the loading capacity of ships and the operating benefit of navigation companies. Combining with the water level in the upside and down side down of the Three Gorge ship locks, to count out the minimum water level, and the largest sea gauge for the ships which will pass by the ship locks controlled in 4.2 meters, which increased 0.2 meters than before.

Now, the Three Gorges Reservoir is in the water level fall down period. The water level in Three Gorges Reservoir will decrease to 145 meters later. Three Gorges Bureau remind relevant departments to closely notice the navigation information, reasonably organize transportation, enhance supervision, to ensure the ships can safely pass by the ship locks.

It is reported that when the ship locks are in operation, the ship locks must be confirmed based on the water level in upstream reservoir. In the flood period the water level in upstream will decrease, the Three Gorges ship locks will take four stages operation way to improve efficiency. After the flood period, the water level will increase. It must take five stages ship locks to ensure the navigation safe.