Gezhouba Ship Lock Scenic Area

Gezhouba Ship Lock Scenic Area

The Gezhouba Water Control Project is the first major dam constructed on China’s vast Yangtze River and forms a crucial component of the Three Gorges Dam project. This magnificent undertaking stands as one of the world’s most outstanding large-scale hydraulic engineering projects. The design sophistication and construction expertise demonstrated embody the latest advancements in China’s hydropower sector, marking a milestone in the history of the country’s water conservancy projects.

The mighty Yangtze River glistens under the sunset hues, and amidst the towering mountains and deep valleys stands the grand dam of generations. Gazing upon the Gezhouba Dam from the mouth of the Xiling Gorge, one sees this world-class hydro facility shimmering like a brilliant pearl embedded at the scenic gateway of the Three Gorges. Here, natural beauty and human ingenuity enhance one another, adding a magnificent touch to the already stunning landscape of the Three Gorges.

The Yangtze River’s Three Gorges section features steep slopes, significant elevation drops, long gorges, and deep valleys. It boasts not only abundant water resources but also prime locations for dam construction, making it an ideal site for developing a major water control project.

Chairman Mao once penned the majestic verse “A calm lake rises above the high gorges,” which was not merely an impromptu expression but rather his poetic vision of the future grandeur of the Three Gorges.

He called on the entire nation to “strive for the full utilization of China’s 540 million kilowatts of hydropower resources and the grand goal of building water control hubs along the Yangtze River.” He also pointed out: “Without constructing the Three Gorges Dam, a comprehensive flood control solution for the Yangtze cannot be achieved, let alone the full utilization of its resources. We build the Three Gorges Dam to fundamentally eliminate the threat of floods, realize Chairman Mao’s vision of ‘a calm lake above the high gorges,’ and ensure its enduring benefits for the people.”

In February and March 1958, accompanied by comrades Li Fuchun and [another comrade], [the leader] traveled up the Yangtze River from Wuhan to inspect the Three Gorges region, surveying two potential dam sites. Following this, the short-term management and long-term planning for the Yangtze River were determined.

In the winter of 1970, [the leader] personally presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee to discuss issues related to the Gezhouba Water Control Project, a key component of the Three Gorges Dam complex. Subsequently, Mao gave his approval with the note “in favor of constructing this dam.” On December 30 of that year, the battle to build Gezhouba commenced.

The Gezhouba Water Control Project is situated on the main channel of the Yangtze River in the western part of Yichang City. The dam site lies 2.3 kilometers from Nanjinguan, the exit of the Three Gorges, 37 kilometers from the Three Gorges Dam site, and 4 kilometers from downtown Yichang. It is named after Gezhou, a small island in the river around which the dam is built. The river here is divided into three channels by two small islands, Gezhou and Xiba.

The Gezhouba Water Control Project mainly consists of three ship locks, two powerhouses, 27 flood discharge sluices, six sand-flushing sluices in the Three Rivers area, nine sand-flushing sluices in the Main River, non-overflow dams on both banks, and silt-prevention dikes. The dam stretches 2,606 meters in length, with a crest elevation of 70 meters and a designed storage level of 66 meters. Its total reservoir capacity is 1.58 billion cubic meters. The two power stations have a combined installed capacity of 2.175 million kilowatts, generating an average of 15.7 billion kWh annually. The project is massive in scale, highly challenging in construction, and demanding in technical requirements, representing an unprecedented marvel in China’s water conservancy history and ranking among the world’s largest hydropower stations. Notably, the sector gates at the lower ends of the No. 1 and No. 2 ship locks are each 19.7 meters wide, 34 meters high, and weigh approximately 600 tons, earning them the title “the world’s No. 1 gates.” These locks can accommodate large passenger and cargo ships as well as 10,000-ton vessel fleets, making them among the largest ship locks in the world.

Since the completion of the dam, the water level of the Yangtze has risen, significantly improving the natural navigation conditions of the Three Gorges. “Leaving at dawn the White Emperor crowned with cloud; I’ve sailed a thousand li through canyons in a day. With monkeys’ sad adieus the riverbanks are loud; My skiff has left ten thousand mountains far away.” is no longer just poetic exaggeration or beautiful fantasy—it has become vivid reality.

Scenic Spot Location

Left Dam of the Gezhouba Hub, Xiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province