Zipingpu Dam () is an embankment dam on the Min River near the city of Dujiangyan, Sichuan ProvinceSatellite map of Zipingpu area in southwest China. It consists of four generators with a total generating capacity of 760 MW."New Water Control Project Under Construction", Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2002 Construction began in 2001 and was finished in late 2006. The dam site was originally developed during the Shu-Han nearly 2000 years ago.
The traditional Dujiangyan Irrigation System consisting of canals, levees, and dams, has been in use since 256 BC.
Controversy
The 7.9 magnitude quake on May 12, 2008 caused some damage to the dam, with its wall being cracked and fissured. The reservoir had to be gradually drained to permit consolidation works."Zipingpu Hydropower plant stopped by quake", China.org.cn, May 13, 2008Wong, Edward; and Schwartz, John, "Chinese Soldiers Rush to Bolster Weakened Dams", The New York Times, May 15, 2008
The reservoir is located just a few kilometers from the 2008 earthquake epicenter, and just a few hundred meters from the fault. Some geologists hypothesized that the loading and unloading of the crust below the reservoir caused by changes in the water level may have somehow acted as a trigger to the earthquake. However, this hypothesis has not been demonstrated.Moore, Malcolm, "Chinese earthquake may have been man-made, say scientists", The Telegraph, Feb 3, 2009LaFraniere, Sharon, "Possible Link Between Dam and China Quake", The New York Times, February 5, 2009
See also
List of power stations in China
References