Webquest: Three Gorges Dam [48 points]

Directions: Do a key word search for "Three Gorges Dam" in a search engine to research the
answers to the questions in this webquest. Remember you can also look under the News results
from your search for articles from newspapers such as the New York Times, the BBC, and CNN.
Each question is worth 4 points.

Historical Implications

1. Why was the building of the dam first proposed in 1919 and by whom?

2. Why have archaeologists and historians criticized the building of the Three Gorges Dam?

Governmental Implications

3. What has been the unfortunate response of local government officials assigned to help
families affected by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam?

4. How has government corruption impacted safety?

Energy Implications

5. Why did China believe the building of the Three Gorges Dam was an absolute necessity
in terms of energy production?

6. Compare the energy production of the Three Gorges Dam to the Hoover Dam. Although
China believed the Dam would provide the nation with 10% of its power needs, what is
the current amount of power it actually is supplying?

Environmental Implications

7. What are some of the environmental implications cited by Chinese officials that have
occurred as a result of the Dam project?

8. What has been the most worrying consequence that has occurred as a result of the
Dam?

Social Implications

9. What is the impact on local communities near the construction zone? What about
farmland?
 10. Although, over a million people have been displaced by the Dam already, what is the
future forecast for local citizens? Is the social turmoil over yet?

Economic Implications

11. What was an important economic goal associated with the building of the Three Gorges
Dam?

12. How does the Three Gorges Dam improve Yangtze River trade?