Skip to main content
Open this photo in gallery:

The Three Gorges Dam project site in Yichang, central China's Hubei province.STR/AFP / Getty Images

1 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in Yichang, Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

2 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

Flood water is released from the Three Gorges Dam's floodgates in Yichang, in central China's Hubei province.Cheng Min/The Associated Press

3 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

Workers clean up jetsom in the Yangtse River near the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, central China's Hubei province.STR/AFP / Getty Images

4 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

Journalists take photos as flood water is released from the Three Gorges Dam's floodgates in Yichang, in central China's Hubei province.Cheng Min/The Associated Press

5 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

The Three Gorges Dam discharges water to lower the level in a reservoir in Yichang, Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

6 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

The Three Gorges Dam discharges water to lower the level in a reservoir in Yichang, Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

7 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A general view of the three Gorges Dam Project discharging water to lower water level in the reservoir in Yichang, central China's Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

8 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A general view shows the Three Gorges Dam Project discharging water, to lower water level in the reservoir, in Yichang, central China's Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

9 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A general view of the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in Yingchang, central China's Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

10 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

This DigitalGlobe Quickbird satellite image obtained 09 September, 2004 shows the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China.HO/AFP / Getty Images

11 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A view of the Three Gorges Dam, which is near completion in Yichang, central China's Hubei province.JOELLE GARRUS/AFP / Getty Images

12 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

This DigitalGlobe Quickbird satellite image obtained shows the Three Gorges Dam and surrounding area along the Yangtze River in China.HO/AFP / Getty Images

13 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A paramilitary policeman stands guard at the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

14 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A worker clears floating garbage on the Yangtze River near the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei province.CHINA DAILY/Reuters

15 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

View of a rubbish dump on the edge of drought affected Poyang Lake, which is China's largest freshwater lake and is connected to the Yangtze River in Jiangxi province.MARK RALSTON/AFP / Getty Images

16 of 17
Open this photo in gallery:

A resident stands near the polluted Dongting Lake in Hanshou county, central China's Hunan province.STRINGER SHANGHAI/Reuters

17 of 17

Interact with The Globe