"Shrimp and crabs come out of shallow water, and dragons are hidden in deep water", this sentence is very suitable to describe the reservoir of the Three Gorges Dam. Since it was first impounded in 2003, the Three Gorges Dam has been flooded for 20 years, forming a huge reservoir that has become a veritable "super fish pond". Here, the 10-year ban has led to an unprecedented recovery and growth in fish stocks. How many giant fish are hidden in this man-made lake, which is known as China's largest artificial lake, and how big are these behemoths? Let's find out and reveal the "underwater monsters" in the Three Gorges Reservoir.
The Three Gorges Dam, a mega-project in Yichang, Hubei Province, has gone through many stages of construction and controversy since it was proposed in 1992. This is not only the world's largest hydropower project, but also a widely discussed environmental and technical topic. In 1997, the dam was successfully intercepted, and then in 2003, it began to store water for power generation, which immediately changed the fate of the surrounding environment and ecology.
Since then, the water level in the Three Gorges Reservoir area has stabilized at about 175 meters, and the area and water capacity of the reservoir area have reached an astonishing scale. Over time, it has gradually become one of the most important freshwater fish reservoirs in China. Especially since the 10-year ban on fishing in the Yangtze River, there has been a significant increase in fish population and size.
The Three Gorges Dam is not only a huge power production facility, but also has a profound impact on the flood safety of the local area and downstream areas. Historically, the Yangtze River has been flooded frequently, bringing countless disasters to the middle and lower reaches. The devastating flood of 1954 caused heavy casualties and economic losses. In order to solve this problem once and for all, the Chinese government began to brew the construction of this magnificent project in the late 50s of the last century.
Since then, plans for the construction of the Three Gorges Dam have been fraught with controversy and challenges. The question of whether to build, how to build, and what the consequences of building will be have been a point of contention among engineers and policymakers. After decades of discussion and planning, the Three Gorges Project was finally officially approved by the central government in 1986, and construction began quickly.
In the 21st century, the function of the Three Gorges Dam has gradually shown its multifaceted nature. In addition to power production and flood control, it also plays an important role in ecological conservation and water aquaculture. In particular, after the 10-year ban on fishing, the ecological environment of the Three Gorges reservoir area has been greatly improved. Many fish that were once scarce are beginning to recover, and some large fish species have even reached incredible sizes.
The common herring and silver carp are able to grow rapidly with the support of an adequate food chain in the reservoir. Some fishermen have caught herring weighing more than 50 kilograms, which is extremely rare in previous natural rivers. This phenomenon not only shows the good restoration of the ecological environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir, but also reflects the great success of the fishing ban policy.
The construction and operation of the Three Gorges Dam has also brought about a series of environmental and social problems. The formation of reservoirs has led to the inundation of large amounts of land, the forced displacement of many residents, and the destruction of ecosystems. Although the construction of dams provides enormous economic benefits, such as power generation and flood control, these benefits come at great sacrifices for nature and human society.
Engineers and environmental experts have been looking for a balance between this. Finding the right point between development and protection is an ongoing challenge for the Three Gorges Project. With the improvement of environmental awareness and technological advancement, the Three Gorges Dam may adopt more environmentally friendly management measures in the future to reduce the negative impact on the environment.
In this context, the phenomenon of the "super fish pond" of the Three Gorges Reservoir is not only an ecological wonder, but also a microcosm of the impact on water conservancy projects in China and around the world. How the Three Gorges Dam can protect and restore the natural ecology in a convenient way for human beings will be a long-term and complex topic.
The Three Gorges Dam, the miracle of the world's water conservancy project, is not only an energy monster, but also an ecological treasure house. In its vast deep waters, it is not only home to giant fish, but also to countless ideas about development and conservation. Over time, the natural and social environment around the Three Gorges Dam is undergoing profound changes. Whether it can continue to maintain its ecological prosperity and become a model of sustainable development is a question that every one of us who cares about nature and development should be concerned about. Let's stay tuned to the Three Gorges Dam in the hope that it will bring more benefits to humanity while protecting our precious natural resources.