Why China's Three Gorges Dam Could Collapse

Dams have long been the strategic card for the Chinese government. However, they are collapsing before they can have a chance to play them. China has about 94,000 dying dams, so the crisis isn't about a single dam. However, when the problem involves the world's biggest hydroelectric plant, there is every reason for China to worry about it. Not only China but also the entire world is waiting with bated breath regarding how the country will tackle this issue of mammoth stature.

The difference between other dams in China and the three Gorges Dam is that most of the other dams were built during Mao Zedong's era, while the Three Gorges Dam is a recent build. So, it seems believable that the Mao-era dams must be decaying and on the verge of collapsing. However, what's surprising is that a dam that cost China a whopping $31 billion and became operational fairly recently could collapse. Even if it is a mere likelihood, why is it even being considered? You will find out in this video.

[alexfrankl]

Ive seen it, have been through the locks too, pollution is a massive issue, landslides everywhere, honestly i wouldn't live anywhere near it, particularly down stream .

[lmcdragonfly]

The Three Gorges Dam is collapsing every summer since it’s built. It’s seasonal.

[Ilovecruise]

I see video about “THREE GORGES DAM COLLAPSE” every year, I mean EVERY YEAR!

[wilz]

if a video is made about this dam collapsing every year, they will eventually get it right

[pachinkor]

This video was 30 seconds of information that can be found anywhere repeated for nearly 10 minutes ultimately telling you nothing.

[NSK]

Of course it'll collapse soon.... Cuz yeah you guessed it right...
"MADE IN CHINA"😂😂

[andrewstafford-jones]

Construction with "Chinese Characteristics" - tofu dredge

[marks]

Another issue not mentioned is the concept of water pressure induced earthquakes in the Three Gorges Dam reservoir from billions of gallons of water putting intense pressure on the land in and around the reservoir. The area has had an increase in small earthquakes since the Dam was completed years ago and the reservoir. No one (including scientists) is completely sure if the water is putting pressure on unknown faults in the area or causing new rifts. There are studies going on to verify the faults/rifts in the area. Also, the other issue is landslides. Several famous disasters involving large bodies of water were caused by part of local mountains or surrounding hills collapsing causing mega tsunamis inside lakes, reservoirs, and fjords. While this dam is built differently, the area has large mountains and hills and is heavily prone to water saturation, earthquakes, and old faults/unstable areas. It will be interesting to see how China deals with these unexpected issues.

[dipankarmitra]

0.08, Very intelligent way to represent china without Tibet

[Berkana]

This video speaks of China's coal usage as if it is something in the past, as if hydroelectric power has displaced the bulk of the coal used in China. This simply isn't true; the vast majority of China's power is still from burning coal.

[johnsnyder]

The silting is a serious issue as the more silt that accumulates the less water it can intake. Rebuilding dams upstream could create more issues. When you tear a dam down you release the silt that has built up. Even though this would be eliminated somewhat with a new dam it will take a few years to replace each one.

[jh-rmof]

Ten minutes in one sentence, the dam could possibly collapse due to the influx of water more than it can withstand, which is perfectly true for ALL dams in the world. What an argument!

[thermalstoragesystemfromtr]

now you should make a video about why the apartment building in Miami actually collapsed LOL.

[mrfuzzerkins]

3:33 must be one hell of a sight behold seeing that outside the window but also worry some to move if the dam decides to give out

[GT-tjqg]

"It's construction was formally completed in 2006"
"The dam has been operational since 2003"
???

[resistor]

We forgot to weld the left bank before poring concrete

[alexpang]

More clickbait nonsense. Heard this repeated every year for the last 9 years. Same old same old...

[lumenpraetorius]

I toured the Hoover Dam including walking across the top of it and that was big enough for me.

[markgarin]

When it fills with silt, it's no longer a reservoir....it's a flood plain.
And you don't talk about engineers saying it was a bad plan, deformation, or the effect of all that water weight and absorption into the soil on earthquakes.

[Flamingpiano]

@8:05
Coronavirus: "am i a joke to you"