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Three Gorges set for full play as reservoir swells

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-15 13:14

A general view of the Three Gorges reservoir in Yichang city, central China's Hubei province Monday September 14, 2009. [Xinhua]

YICHANG: China started raising the water level of the Three Gorges reservoir early Tuesday, and the operation could last more than one month before the water level meets the mark of 175 meters.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and Yangtze River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters issued a written statement on the event Monday with the approval of the State Council, the country's Cabinet.

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According to plan, water level behind the dam would be raised to 175 meters by the end of October. But if the level is below the 175-meter mark, the water raising will be continued in November.

Up to date, the water level at the Three Gorges Dam has been 145 meters.

The Three Gorges Project, initiated in 1993, is a multi-functional water control system built on the upper and middle reaches of the country's longest waterway, the Yangtze River.

Its main components are the dam, a five-tier ship lock, and 26 hydropower turbo-generators. Its key functions include flood control and power generation.

It is designed that the project is expected to fully play its multifunctional roles in flood control, power generation and navigation after the water level at the dam reaches 175 meters.