Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, China, Quickbird satellite image. This photograph was taken on 24th October 2003, less than four months after t

---

Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, China, Quickbird satellite image. This photograph was taken on 24th October 2003, less than four months after the reservoir behind the dam started filling. This process is expected to take until 2009, although electricity can be generated at this stage by passing water (white) through the dam's turbines. When complete it is anticipated that the dam will generate over 18 gigawatts of power. The 181-metre-high dam is thought to be the most expensive construction project in history, estimated at $75 billion. Nearly two million people were displaced to make way for the rising water levels behind the dam. The channel at lower left is for shipping.

---

Size: 2875px × 3925px
Photo credit: © DIGITAL GLOBE, EURIMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 2003, 21st, 24/10/2003, asia, asian, century, china, controversial, controversy, dam, damming, electricity, energy, environmental, environmentally, filling, friendly, gorges, green, hydroelectric, hydroelectricity, image, industry, largest, lift, power, quickbird, renewable, reservoir, river, satellite, ship, space, technological, technology, water, yangtze