What environmental problems have been linked to the Three Gorges Dam?

The construction and operation of the Three Gorges Dam have been linked to several significant environmental and geological concerns:

• Geological Instability: The immense weight of the water impounded in the reservoir is blamed for an increase in landslides and earthquakes in the region, raising fears regarding the risk of catastrophic dam failure.12
• Pollution: There have been persistent concerns that human and industrial waste from cities along the Yangtze River would pollute the reservoir.1
• Biodiversity Loss: The project has been criticized for its potential to adversely affect endangered animal species within the basin, including the Chinese alligator, the finless porpoise, and the Chinese sturgeon.2
• Sedimentation and Erosion: The buildup of silt is argued to potentially hinder flood-control efficacy. Furthermore, because the water released downstream is largely free of its natural silt burden, it is feared that the river will erode surrounding banks, leading to land degradation.2
• Landscape Destruction: The reservoir submerged vast areas of the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling gorges, destroying natural scenery and numerous archaeological and architectural sites.12