Ep 25. China's Great Dam
- September 12, 2000
China's Great Dam is an episode of the television series Modern Marvels, season 7, episode 25. In this episode, viewers are taken behind the scenes to explore the world's largest hydroelectric dam, the Three Gorges Dam in China.
The Three Gorges Dam is a true feat of engineering and construction, spanning over 1.3 miles across the Yangtze River in China. With a height of over 600 feet and a length of over 7,500 feet, the dam is an enormous structure that required incredible planning and construction efforts. It involved the relocation of over a million people from their homes and the clearing of miles of land to make way for the dam's construction.
Throughout the episode, viewers learn about the history behind the dam's creation and the reasons why it was built. They get to see the massive scale of the dam and the impressive amount of concrete and steel that went into its construction. They also learn about the various challenges that were faced during the construction process, such as how to deal with the massive amounts of water that were diverted during construction.
One of the most interesting aspects of the episode is the look at the technology that went into constructing the dam. The dam uses a complex system of locks, spillways, turbines, and generators to generate electricity, control water levels, and prevent flooding. Viewers get to see how these different technologies work together to keep the dam running smoothly and how they were designed to withstand the challenges of the environment.
Overall, China's Great Dam is an eye-opening look at one of the most impressive engineering feats in the world. Viewers will learn about the history, construction process, and technology behind the Three Gorges Dam, and they'll come away with a newfound appreciation for the incredible work that went into creating it.