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How did the Three Gorges Dam change water-level fluctuations near Yichang?
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Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam spanning the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) near Yichang, Hubei province, China.
Prior to the completion of the Three Gorges Dam in 2006, the Yangtze River near Yichang was characterized by a violent current and extreme water-level fluctuations, which could vary by as much as 50 feet (15 metres) between high and low water levels.1
Following the dam's construction, it has served to regulate the river's downstream flow. By managing the discharge, the dam has successfully reduced the magnitude of these water-level fluctuations near Yichang, providing a more stable river environment compared to the significant variations experienced historically.21