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| East Asia |
| China’s Three Gorges fills faster than expected |
| 2003-06-11 |
| Uh oh. China's Three Gorges dam reservoir, the world's biggest hydroelectric project, is filling faster than expected, state media reported on Wednesday. The People's Daily, mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, said the massive reservoir hit 135 metres (443 ft) at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, five days ahead of schedule. It did not say why. By the time it is full, the reservoir will be 175 metres (575 feet) deep. Engineers blocked the Yangtze River at the Three Gorges dam on June 1, starting to fill the reservoir for the project that is a point of national pride but which critics fear will become an environmental nightmare. They have had heavy rains this year, lots of water coming in. Also this won't help any: But one problem encountered by the dam's engineers is the large amount of debris in the reservoir - such as tree branches and rubbish - which threatens the safety of boats in the area. The debris could also clog the sluice gates if they have to open them. Not a good thing. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 a giant cesspool? Just stocking with brown trout heh heh just a little engineering humor, sorry btw - I never heard if the cracks were in the tension or compression faces, it does make a difference. I was more intrigued it was designed for only a 7.0 quake - tremendously low for a critical structure |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-06-11 19:50:59 |
| #9 Watched a report that said there are massive cracks in the damn,probably from improper curing.When you pour that much concret that fast it will produce a tremendous amount of heat. When Boulder damn was built pipes were run through the poured concret for running cooled water.Slowing down the curing process. If this is the case it'll collapse sooner rather than later. same report said the impounded water is turnning into a giant cesspool from civilian and industrial sewage. |
| Posted by: raptor 2003-06-11 18:34:55 |
| #8 Counting on my toes... At this rate, it will be full about June 14 or 15. Weather report here. Looks like partly cloudy through June 21. By July 31, my birthday, and a million plus dead. |
| Posted by: Chuck (not Taylor) 2003-06-11 16:51:06 |
| #7 Bulldog - sorry about the flashbacks, man. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is common among those who've used Chinese facilities. During my travels there, I have personally used some of sh***iest Porta- and stationary johns known to man - the more scenic the locale, the less savory the head. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2003-06-11 16:09:02 |
| #6 Having had first-hand experience of rural Chinese latrines, my stomach is now in churning turmoil. Thanks Zhang. Thanks a lot... |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2003-06-11 15:18:31 |
| #4 Any chance the U.S. Civil Corps of Engineers was consulted on this? Wonder if Taiwan(R.O.C.)has a missile or two with enough range that is/are being retargeted now? On collapse,either immediately or after 20 years of improper maint.My entries are July 4 2003/120,000 deaths or June 3 2124/2,500,000 deaths. |
| Posted by: Stephen 2003-06-11 15:01:19 |
| #3 "Those aren't leaks. That's additional drainage." |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-06-11 14:46:34 |
| #2 Can we get a pool going on the date of collapse and/or the number of peasents killed by same? (No pun intended with "pool" by the way.) |
| Posted by: Hodadenon 2003-06-11 14:05:04 |
| #1 Having had first-hand experience of rural Chinese latrines, my stomach is now in churning turmoil. Thanks Zhang. Thanks a lot... |
| Posted by: Bulldog 6/11/2003 3:18:31 PM |