Underwater Demolition Removes Three Gorges Project's Last Cofferdam

2006-06-07 02:19:51 CRIENGLISH.com

The massive temporary dam used to hold water back during the construction of the Three Gorges dam has been blown up on Tuesday in China.

General Manager of the Three Gorges Project Corporation, Li Yong'an, says the cofferdam's demolition prepares for the Three Gorges Project to function.

"The demolition of the cofferdam is perfect. The dam has worked for three years and functioned fully. After the demolition, the Three Gorges Project can further help to prevent floods and generate electricity."

Located 114 metres upstream from the Three Gorges dam, the cofferdam was a temporary watertight enclosure that was pumped dry to allow construction work to proceed.

The 1.4-mile-long Three Gorges dam is designed to stop the deadly floods that ravage China's farming heartland.

It will eventually produce 22.4 million kilowatts of electricity - enough to light up Shanghai on a peak day with power to spare.

While the dam was completed last month, the power-generation facilities won't be finished until 2008.

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