The Three Gorges Reservoir has started to discharge water to
prepare for the coming flood season of China's longest waterway,
the Yangtze River.
The reservoir is to discharge 2.7 billion cubic meters of water
before June 10, when the water level is expected to drop to 144.5
meters, a fall of six meters from the previous level, said an
engineer with the Three Gorges Project Development Corporation
yesterday.
The water level marked 148.1 meters at 7 PM yesterday, said Yuan
Jie, the engineer in charge of the discharge work.
"As the flood season approaches, it is necessary for us to make
preparations beforehand," said Yuan.
Water in some tributaries of the Yangtze in the upper-reach
areas of the reservoir has been reported to be flowing more slowly
than before since the water level of the reservoir rose to 156
meters in October last year, adding to the risks of flooding "if we
don't take measures now," said Yuan.
The local marine affairs department has asked vessels on the
Yangtze River to pay attention to the changes of the river's water
level to avoid accidents.
Located where the Yangtze River's upper and middle reaches meet,
the mammoth Three Gorges Project is said to be capable of holding
back major floods on the country's longest river.
Its reservoir is capable of holding 22.15 billion cubic meters
of water when it attains a normal water level of 175 meters,
according to the corporation.
Launched in 1993, construction of the gigantic concrete
structure of the Three Gorges dam was completed in May last
year.
The water level in the reservoir will eventually reach 175
meters in 2009, when the Three Gorges Project is finally
completed.
(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2007)