175-meter experimental impoundment of Three Gorges Reservoir comes to end

China’s Three Gorges Reservoir’s water level reached 175 meters on October 31, successfully reaching the target set in September. The impoundment provides a guaranteed water supply for shipping, ecology and power generation for this winter and next spring.

The feat further cemented the reputation of the Three Gorges Project as a national pillar project.The 175 meter-level is the normal water storage level of the Three Gorges Project, which is an important indicator for the project to operate at full capacity.

This year's tentative impoundment started on September 10 with an initial level of146.73 meters, and the reservoir has since accumulated 21.292 billion cubic meters of water.

During the impoundment, the seismic geology, sediment and water quality of the Three Gorges Reservoir area were in good condition and the key structures such as the dam, power station and ship locks were operating stably.

The Three Gorges Reservoir will balance inflow and outflow flow before the end of the year to maintain a high water level. From January to June 10, the water level will be gradually lowered to 145 meters in order to release the storage capacity for the  flood season next year.