The Altash Water Conservancy Project (), also called as Altash Hydro-junction dam, is the largest

water Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a ...

conservancy Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...

project in

Xinjiang Xinjiang, SASM/GNC: ''Xinjang''; zh, c=, p=Xīnjiāng; formerly romanized as Sinkiang (, ), officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), located in the northwest ...

. The project is located in the upper reaches of the Yarkant River and deep in the

Kunlun Mountains The Kunlun Mountains ( zh, s=昆仑山, t=崑崙山, p=Kūnlún Shān, ; ug, كۇئېنلۇن تاغ تىزمىسى / قۇرۇم تاغ تىزمىسى ) constitute one of the longest mountain chains in Asia, extending for more than . In the bro ...

. It is called as "Xinjiang Three Gorges Dam" by some Chinese

expert An expert is somebody who has a broad and deep understanding and competence in terms of knowledge, skill and experience through practice and education in a particular field. Informally, an expert is someone widely recognized as a reliable s ...

History

In 2006, the Altash Water Conservancy Project started the preliminary work. On October 10, 2011, it officially started construction. On November 19, 2019, the dam of the project was lowered to store water. On May 29, 2020, the main

dam A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, a ...

of the project was completed.

Background

The

Yarkand River The Yarkand River (or Yarkent River, Yeh-erh-ch'iang Ho) is a river in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of western China. It originates in the Siachen Muztagh in a part of the Karakoram range and flows into the Tarim River or Neinejoung Ri ...

has been playing a crucial role in agriculture and development in

Tashkurgan Tashkurgan ( ug, تاشقورغان بازىرى; zh, s=塔什库尔干镇, p=Tǎshíkù'ěrgān Zhèn; ) is a town in the far northwest of China, close to the country's border with Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is the principal tow ...

. However, at the same time, the river brings floods to the town, severely damaging the crops, roads, and infrastructure. The Altash Water conservancy project is designed to control the upper reaches of the Yarkant River, therefore, solving the problems faced by local residents such as the destruction of crops and facilities. In addition, it will improve the ecological environment in the area surrounding the Yarkant River and support a more sustainable condition for economic and social development.

References

Gravity dams 2020 establishments in China Dams completed in 2020 Dams in China Energy infrastructure completed in 2020 Hydroelectric power stations in Xinjiang {{PRChina-struct-stub