The massive Gezhou Dam is located on the Yangtze River, northwest of Yichang. It is part of the Three Gorges Dam construction project, which is the largest hydroelectric project ever undertaken in China.
Gezhou Dam was completed in 1988 and is 2.6km (1.6 miles) long and 70 meters (230ft) high. The lake created by the dam is 32km (20 miles) long and has a total storage capacity of 1.6 billion cubic meters. A 2nd and larger Three Gorges Dam is under construction 30km (19 miles) upstream from
Yichang.
As a grand project which has attracted worldwide attention, Gezhou Dam's floodgate is of great momentum when it discharges water and the bursting mighty waves and the sound of giant underwater are amazing. The environment of the floodgate is also very beautiful. Gezhou Dam, together with Three Gorges Dam, is must-see attractions in the Yangtze River cruise.