Civil Engineering Delegation
to the People's Republic of China
November 17 to 28, 1999
The Three Gorges Dam Project
Group photo of the delegation
- From left to right - Front row (sitting): Mr. Leonard Wong (CITS representative), Mr. John H. Dailey, Professor Issam A. Minkarah (University of Cincinnati, Ohio), Dr. Carl Egan (Minnesota State University), Mr. Geoffrey E. Wolfe, Mr. Mark H. Stillman, Mr. Craig S. Dewey, Ms. Julie D. Miner, Mrs. Rita C. Nunez, Ms. Annette M. Mimiaga, Mr. Robert J. Mimiaga, Dr. John J. Bardgette, Ms. Barbara B. Ruegg, Mr. Richard P. Miller, Mr. Robert R. Hensler, Sr.
- Second row (standing): Mr. John Jessup (travel manager), Professor Dennis R. Nola (University of Maryland), Dr. Eleanor C. Minkara, Mrs. Ann B. Catlin, Mrs. Barbara A. Bohlander, Mrs. Louise R. Bruington, Mr. David S. Stacy, Mrs. JoAnn Stacy, Mrs. Shirley R. Boothe, Mr. Fernando P. Nunez, Professor Kamran M. Nemati (delegation leader, University of Washington), Professor Peter M. Weise (Auburn University, Alabama), Mr. Frederick C. Levantrosser, Mrs. Ariel L. Witbeck, Mr. Robert L. Witbeck, Miss Deborah J. Krontz, Professor Siddhartha Bagchi (Manhattan College, New York).
- Third row (standing): Mr. Jonathan Yujun Zhang (CITS representative), Mr. William G. Catlin, Mr. Art E. Bruington, Mr. Theodore L. Bohlander, Mr. C. Gary Kalian, Mr. Mr. Allen P. Boothe, Mr. Warren V. Ruegg, Mr. John J. Bardgette, Mr. John D. Hensler.
Wednesday morning, November 17, 1999: Meeting with the Three Gorges Dam Project Corporation - Beijing
Wednesday afternoon, November 17, 1999: Meeting with the Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Thursday morning, November 18, 1999: Meeting with the Beijing Science and Technology Association for Foreign Countries
Saturday morning, November 20, 1999: Meeting with the Construction Engineering College at Chongqing University
Saturday afternoon, November 20, 1999: Meeting with the Retired Engineers Association of Chongqing
Sunday - Tuesday, November 21 - 23, 1999: Sailing down Yangtze River from Chongqing to Sandouping
Wednesday morning, November 24, 1999: Meeting with the Chief Engineer for the Three Gorges Dam Project and visiting the Dam- Sandouping
Wednesday afternoon, November 24, 1999: Visit the City of New Zigui - Dam Vicinity
Wednesday afternoon, November 24, 1999: Meeting with the Gezhouba Hydropower Engineering Institute -Sandouping
Wednesday evening, November 24, 1999: Meeting with the Chief Engineer for the Three Gorges Dam Project - Sandouping
Thursday morning, November 25, 1999: Visit the City of Old Zigui - Dam Vicinity
Background:
Man has long used technology to harness nature and dam building has always been one of the most controversial methods. Building a dam causes dramatic effects on the environment, yet can benefit man in innumerable ways.
The idea of building a dam on China's longest river, the Yangtze, was first proposed by Sun Yat-Sen more than seventy years ago. Finally approved by the National People's Congress in 1992, construction of the dam was begun in 1993. The Three Gorges Dam Project is the largest water conservancy project ever built in the world.
The first phase of the dam was completed in November 1997, when the river was diverted to the cofferdam. Under the second phase of the project, construction of the second stage cofferdams, the spillway, the left bank intake and the power house will take place. Work on the second phase is scheduled to be completed in 2003.
The dam is located in what was once a small fishing village, Sandouping. This city now is home to over 40,000 individuals connected to the construction of the dam. Special permits are required to enter the town. As of the end of 1999, most of the excavation work for the generator pit had been completed, and work continues on the permanent ship lock and the ship lift.
When complete, the dam will generate 18,200 megawatts of electricty. The dam will be 185 meters high (607 feet) and 2,310 meters long (7,054 feet). A reservoir 660 kilometers long (400 miles) will be created by the dam. The water level behind the dam will rise 90 meters (295 feet), submerging 13 cities, 140 towns and over 1,000 peasant villages. Over 1.3 million people will be relocated.
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Send email: kamran@nemati.com
