Does the Three Gorges Dam control floods on the Yangtze River?

One of the primary objectives of the Three Gorges Dam project was to alleviate periodic, destructive flooding on the lower Yangtze River basin.12

The dam’s effectiveness in this role remains a subject of ongoing debate. Proponents point to instances such as the rainy summer of 2010, when the structure successfully held back significant floodwaters, minimizing downstream impact. Conversely, during the heavy floods of 2020, the reservoir neared maximum capacity, leading critics to argue that such events highlight the limitations of the dam as a comprehensive flood-control tool. While officials maintain that the dam reduces damage and loss of life, its capacity to fully manage extreme hydrological events is frequently questioned by experts and observers.12