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Second Damming of Yangtze River to Be Launched by the End of 2002
China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation declared Sunday that the second damming of the Three Gorges Project along the Yangtze River is to be carried out between November and December of 2002.
The preparatory work has been kicked off. According to the person in charge of the Corporation, the second damming is more difficult than the first time conducted in 1997 because both the drop and the velocity of water-flow for the second damming are much higher and swifter than that of the first time.
As analysis shows, the velocity of the water-flow for the second damming is 12,200 cubic meters per second and the drop reaches 5.4 meters, which make it the most difficult one in the world.
Currently, experts and engineers are busy with mapping out the technological scheme for the second damming and carrying out studies on various subjects by using the model for the second damming so as to make the engineering work a perfect one.
The hinge buildings of the Three Gorges Project consist of the dam, power station and navigation building. To ensure a non-interruption navigation, the Yangtze River is to be dammed twice during the 17 years'course of construction. The first damming was finished in November 1997. Under the protection of the cofferdam, the construction of the second phase of the dam project and the factory buildings has been completed.
The second damming will be made over a diversion channel, a "manmade Yangtze River". The diversion channel is 3.7 kilometers in length and 350 meters in width. Opened to navigation in October 1997, it takes up the task of diversion and navigation between 1997 and 2002. After the damming of the diversion channel, the diversion and navigation will be taken over by the diversion system and the permanent locks. The third phase of the Three Gorges Project and the factory buildings of the power stations will be constructed under the protection of the cofferdam afterwards.
By PD Online staff member Du Minghua
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