ABSTRACT
The key components of the Three Gorges Project are, as with many large-scale water conservancy projects in the world, main dam structure for water impoundment; an attached spillway structure, navigation structures, and hydropower plants located behind the main dam. However, the Three Gorges Reservoir formed after the construction of the dam possesses unique characteristics which differ significantly from other large reservoirs. These characteristics to a large extent determine the life of the reservoir, the degree to which the surrounding ecological environment is affected by the reservoir, its modes of operation, and the maximization of the project's benefits. Above all, these characteristics have a direct influence on an accurate appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of the project. The following is a brief discussion of the salient features of the Three Gorges Reservoir.
