Landmark for Three Gorges dam

Live television coverage on June 1 showed the closing of sluice gates on the Three Gorges dam and then
the start of filling what will eventually become a 600km-long reservoir. Dozens of towns
and cities have already been flooded as the reservoir reached its first target depth of 135
metres. This is the mini-mum depth that allows freighters and ferries to sail on the
reservoir and for the dam's tur-bines to begin generating power.
River traffic returned to
the area in mid-June after a 67-day suspension while the reservoir was filled. Vessels
passed through the five-level lock structure, which is 6km long and cost Yati.2hn to build.
The structure can raise or lower ships ofup to 3,000 tonnes more than 100 metres by
flooding each of the five levels.