Downstream Jinsha River- Three Gorges Cascade Reservoirs Completed Drawdown Efforts Before the 2018 Flood Season

At 20:00, June 30, 2018, the inflow rate of Xiluodu Reservoir was 8,900 m3/s, while the discharge rate hit 7,200 m3/s. The water level in front of the dam has dropped to 561.54 m, while for Xiangjiaba Reservoir, it has fallen to 370.27m, which marks that the downstream Jinsha River - Three Gorges Cascade Reservoirs have successfully completed the drawdown efforts before the 2018 flood season, creating favorable conditions for Cascade Reservoirs to fully display comprehensive benefits and protect the life and property of the people living in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

The downstream Jinsha River - Three Gorges Cascade Reservoirs is an important project for flood mitigation, drought relief and comprehensive utilization of water resources in the Yangtze River Basin. It plays a key role in the joint operation of reservoirs in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River in 2018. Starting from November 26, 2017, the drawdown task of the Three Gorges Reservoir officially lasted for 216 days, 25 days shorter compared with last year. During the drawdown period, it has also met the needs for shipping, water supply, power grid protection, bank stability, ecological operation, etc., the cumulative water supply in downstream is nearly 29.076 billion m3.

The main flood season of the Yangtze River Basin has arrived. With a focus on flood prevention and control, the Three Gorges Cascade Dispatch & Communication Center will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with power grid dispatching management department, adjust and optimize current water level and power generation plan based on the flood, water and rainfall situation and scientifically carry out joint operations of the reservoirs, find the balance point for flood mitigation, and give full play to the comprehensive benefits of the reservoirs and the engineering system to ensure the safety of flood control.