What other geographical questions could we ask?

Three Gorges Dam: a case study of a water management scheme

LO: To explain the reason for a water management

scheme and the impact of this scheme

Case study information1. Where is it located2. Why is it needed (a multi-purpose scheme)3. What are the advantages of this management scheme4. What are the problems of this management scheme

Remember to include case study specific information (level 2/3 answer)

Extension: categorize impacts into social, economic and environmental- this will help with an evaluation of the issues (level 3 answer!)

Location

• The Three Gorges Dam is a hydroelectric dam that spans the Yangtze River in Sandouping, Hubei province, China.

• It is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world. The total electric generation will be 22,500 mega watts

Why is the dam needed?

• Economic growth• Flood control• Power generation• Navigation• Tourism

How could the dam be termed a ‘multi purpose scheme’?

What are the impacts of the dam?

1. Categorize the impacts as negative or positive

2. Decide if the impacts are a social, economic or environmental impact.

3. Make a decision- is this a sustainable scheme- make sure you can explain you answer

Everything below the 175-metre marker on thehillside will be flooded by the Three Gorges reservoir.

Opportunities for tourism have already increased.

Wanxian district, Chongqing municipalityThe whole of the lower section will be flooded by the Three Gorges reservoir.