This country blew up 300 dams—reason shocks the world, not US/Russia

China Demolishes 300 Dams to Save Three Gorges, Plans -$137 Billion Brahmaputra Project

In a major ecological push, China has demolished over 300 dams and decommissioned more than 90% of its small hydropower stations along the Chishui River. This sweeping move, initiated by the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping, is aimed at restoring environmental balance and ensuring the long-term survival of the Three Gorges Dam.

The Three Gorges Dam, which sits on the Yangtze River, has been facing growing scrutiny for its environmental impact. Experts have pointed out that the dam has significantly disrupted the river’s natural flow, affected fish migration patterns, caused sedimentation imbalances, and reduced biodiversity. In response, China is now trying to reverse some of the ecological damage by removing smaller upstream dams. These efforts are designed to restore natural water pulses and reconnect river habitats, which will benefit the larger river basin and help stabilize conditions downstream of the Three Gorges.

Even as China focuses on ecological restoration in one region, it is preparing to build what could become the world’s largest infrastructure project on another. The government has approved a new hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River (known in Tibet as Yarlung Zangbo), close to the Indian border. The project is estimated to cost around USD 137 billion and is located in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region, where tectonic activity is common.

This new dam project has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh, both of which lie downstream of the Brahmaputra. Experts warn that changes to the river’s flow could impact agriculture, water supply, and the environment in these countries. The lack of a formal water-sharing agreement between China and its southern neighbors has added to the apprehension.

China has stated that the Brahmaputra project has passed rigorous scientific reviews and will not harm downstream countries. However, skepticism remains due to past tensions over transboundary water management and China's strategic control over rivers originating in Tibet.

The twin developments—demolishing dams for environmental restoration and constructing a massive new one for energy and strategic purposes—highlight China's complex approach to water resource management. On one hand, the country is making efforts to repair ecological damage; on the other, it is asserting its dominance over vital regional water sources. How these decisions unfold will have lasting implications, both for China's domestic sustainability goals and for its relationships with neighboring countries.