List of tallest dams in China

The tallest dams in China are some of the tallest dams in the world. Nearly 22,000 dams over 15 metres (49 ft) in height – about half the world's total – have been constructed in China since the 1950s. Many of the tallest are located in the southwestern part of the country (Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan) on rivers such as the Mekong, the Yangtze, and its upper stretch (Jinsha River) and tributaries (Yalong, Dadu, Min and Wu). The Yellow River in the western part of the country also hosts several among the tallest. Purposes for these high structures include flood control, irrigation and, predominantly, hydroelectric power. While beneficial, many throughout the country have been criticized for their effects on the environment, displacement of locals and effect on transboundary river flows.^[1] Currently, the country's and world's tallest, Jinping-I Dam, an arch dam 305 m (1,001 ft) high, is located in Sichuan.^[2] The tallest embankment dam in China is the 261 m (856 ft) Nuozhadu Dam in Yunnan. The country's highest gravity dam is Longtan Dam at 216.2 m (709 ft), which can be found in Guangxi.^[3] At 233 m (764 ft), Shuibuya Dam in Hubei is the world's tallest concrete-face rock-fill dam.^[4][5] In Sichuan, the government is constructing the 312 m (1,024 ft) tall Shuangjiangkou Dam which, when complete, will become the world's tallest dam.^[6][7]

List

All Chinese dams over 100 m (328 ft) in height are listed below.

The 181 m (594 ft) tall Three Gorges Dam

Name	Region, province or city	Impounds	Height	Type	Complete	Notes
Shuangjiangkou Dam	Sichuan	Dadu River	312 m (1,024 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2020	[6]
Jinping-I Dam	Sichuan	Yalong River	305 m (1,001 ft)	Arch	2013	[8]
Lianghekou Dam	Sichuan	Yalong River	295 m (968 ft)	Arch	2023	[9]
Xiaowan Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	292 m (958 ft)	Arch	2010	[10]
Xiluodu Dam	Yunnan	Jinsha River	285.5 m (937 ft)	Arch	2013	[11]
Baihetan Dam	Sichuan/Yunnan	Jinsha River	277 m (909 ft)	Arch	2019	[12]
Nuozhadu Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	261.5 m (858 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2013	[13]
Laxiwa Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	250 m (820 ft)	Arch	2009	[14]
Ertan Dam	Sichuan	Yalong River	240 m (790 ft)	Arch	1999	[15]
Changheba Dam	Sichuan	Dadu River	240 m (790 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2016	[16]
Wudongde Dam	Sichuan/Yunnan	Jinsha River	240 m (787 ft)	Gravity	2018	[17]
Shuibuya Dam	Hubei	Qing River	233 m (764 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2008	[18]
Goupitan Dam	Guizhou	Wu River	232.5 m (763 ft)	Arch	2009	[19]
Houziyan Dam	Guizhou	Dadu River	223.5 m (733 ft)	Embankment	2016	[20]
Jiangpinghe Dam	Hubei	Loushui River	221 m (725 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2012	[4]
Longtan Dam	Guangxi	Hongshui River	216 m (709 ft)	Gravity	2009	[21]
Maerdang Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	211 m (692 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2016	[22]
Dagangshan Dam	Sichuan	Dadu River	210 m (690 ft)	Arch	2015	[23]
Huangdeng Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	203 m (666 ft)	Gravity	2019	[24]
Guangzhao Dam	Guizhou	Beipan River	200.5 m (658 ft)	Gravity	2004	[25]
Pubugou Dam	Sichuan	Dadu River	186 m (610 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2010	[26]
Sanbanxi Dam	Guizhou	Yuan (Qingshui) River	185.5 m (609 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2006	[4]
Three Gorges Dam	Hubei	Yangtze River	181 m (594 ft)	Gravity	2008	[27]
Hongjiadu Dam	Guizhou	Liuchong River	179.5 m (589 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2005	[28]
Longyangxia Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	178 m (584 ft)	Arch	1992	[29]
Tianshengqiao-I Dam	Guizhou/Guangxi	Nanpan River	178 m (584 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2000	[30]
Danjiangkou Dam	Hubei	Han River	176.6 m (579 ft)	Gravity	1973	[31]
Kajiwa Dam	Sichuan	Muli River	171 m (561 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2014	[32]
Guandi Dam	Sichuan	Yalong River	168 m (551 ft)	Gravity	2012	[33]
Wujiangdu Dam	Guizhou	Wu River	165 m (541 ft)	Arch-gravity	1979	[34]
Quxue Dam	Sichuan	Shuoqu River	164.2 m (539 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2017	[35]
Dongfeng Dam	Guizhou	Wu River	162 m (531 ft)	Arch	1995	[36]
Tankeng Dam	Zhejiang	Ou River	162 m (531 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2008	[37]
Xiangjiaba Dam	Yunnan/Sichuan	Jinsha River	161 m (528 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2014	[38]
Jinanqiao Dam	Yunnan	Jinsha River	160 m (520 ft)	Gravity	2010	[39]
Guanyinyan Dam	Yunnan/Sichuan	Jinsha River	159 m (522 ft)	Gravity	2014	[40]
Pangduo Dam	Tibet	Lhasa River	158 m (518 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2013	[41]
Dongjiang Dam	Hunan	Lishui River	157 m (515 ft)	Arch	1992	[42]
Geheyan Dam	Hubei	Qing River	157 m (515 ft)	Arch-gravity	2006	[43]
Jilintai I Dam	Xinjiang	Kashgar River	157 m (515 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2005	[44]
Malutang Dam	Yunnan	Panlong River	156 m (512 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2009	[4]
Shatuo Dam	Guizhou	Wu River	156 m (512 ft)	Arch	2009	[45]
Zipingpu Dam	Sichuan	Min River	156 m (512 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2006	[46]
Bashan Dam	Chongqing	Ren River	155 m (509 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2009	[4]
Lijiaxia Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	155 m (509 ft)	Arch-gravity	1997	[47]
Liyuan Dam	Yunnan	Jinsha River	155 m (509 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2014	[48]
Xiaolangdi Dam	Henan	Yellow River	154 m (505 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2000	[49]
Yangqu Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	150 m (492 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2016	[50]
Dongjing Dam	Guizhou	Beipan River	150 m (490 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2009	[4]
Baishan Dam	Jilin	Second Songhua River	149.5 m (490 ft)	Arch-gravity	1984	[51]
Liujiaxia Dam	Gansu	Yellow River	147 m (482 ft)	Gravity	1969	[52]
Maoergai Dam	Sichuan	Heishui River	147 m (482 ft)	Embankment	2011	[53]
Longshou II Dam	Gansu	Heihe River	146.5 m (481 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2004	[4]
Jilebulake Dam	Xinjiang	Haba River	146.3 m (480 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	1996	[54]
Miaowei Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	139.8 m (459 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2016	[55]
Jiangkou Dam	Chongqing	Furong River	139 m (456 ft)	Arch	2003	[56]
Ahai Dam	Yunnan	Jinsha River	138 m (453 ft)	Gravity	2012	[57]
Wawushan Dam	Sichuan	Zhougonghe River	138 m (453 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2007	[4]
Wuluwati Dam	Xinjiang	Kalakashi River	138 m (453 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2001	[4]
Wunonglong Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	137.5 m (451 ft)	Gravity	2016	[58]
Jiudianxia Dam	Gansu	Tao River	136.5 m (448 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2008	[4]
Dongping Dam	Hubei	Zhong River	135 m (443 ft)	Arch	2006	[36]
Longma Dam	Yunnan	Lixian River	135 m (443 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2007	[4]
Dahuashui Dam	Guizhou	Qingshuihe River	134.5 m (441 ft)	Arch	2008	[59]
Shiyazi Dam	Guizhou	Hongjiadu River	134.5 m (441 ft)	Gravity	2010	[60]
Yingzidu Dam	Guizhou	Sancha River	134.5 m (441 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2003	[61]
Baozhusi Dam	Sichuan	Bailong River	132 m (433 ft)	Gravity	2000	[60]
Gongboxia Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	132 m (433 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2006	[62]
Lizhou Dam	Sichuan	Muli River	132 m (433 ft)	Arch	2016	[63]
Manwan Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	132 m (433 ft)	Gravity	1995	[64]
Jiangya Dam	Hunan	Loushui River	131 m (430 ft)	Gravity	2000	[65]
Baise Dam	Guangxi	You River	130 m (430 ft)	Gravity	2006	[65]
Hongkou Dam	Fujian	Huotong River	130 m (430 ft)	Gravity	2008	[65]
Jinpen Dam	Shaanxi	Heihe River	130 m (427 ft)	Embankment	2002	[66]
Shapai Dam	Sichuan	Caopo River	130 m (430 ft)	Arch	2006	[67]
Hunanzhen Dam	Zhejiang	Qiantang River	129 m (423 ft)	Buttress	1980	[60]
Ankang Dam	Shaanxi	Han River	128 m (420 ft)	Gravity	1989	[68]
Tengzigou Dam	Chongqing	Dragon River	127 m (417 ft)	Arch	2006	[36]
Jiemian Dam	Fujian	Junxi River	126 m (413 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2007	[69]
Guxian Dam	Henan	Luohe River	125 m (410 ft)	Gravity	1995	[60]
Yele Dam	Sichuan	Nanya River	124.5 m (408 ft)	Embankment	2006	[70]
Qiaoqi Dam	Sichuan	Baoxinghe River	123 m (404 ft)	Embankment, rock-fill	2007	[71]
Suofengying Dam	Guizhou	Wu River	121 m (397 ft)	Gravity	2006	[65]
Baiyun Dam	Hunan	Wushui River	120 m (394 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2006	[72]
Gudongkou Dam	Hubei	Xiangqi River	120 m (394 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	1999	[72]
Ludila Dam	Yunnan	Jinsha River	120 m (390 ft)	Gravity	2013	[73]
Wudu Dam	Sichuan	Fu River	120 m (390 ft)	Gravity	2008	[74]
Longkaikou Dam	Yunnan	Jinsha River	119 m (390 ft)	Gravity	2013	[73]
Silin Dam	Guizhou	Wu River	117 m (384 ft)	Gravity	2008	[75]
Pengshui Dam	Chongqing	Wu River	116.5 m (382 ft)	Arch	2008	[76]
Shimenkan Dam	Yunnan	Lixian River	116 m (381 ft)	Arch	2010	[36]
Tingzikou Dam	Sichuan	Jialing River	116 m (381 ft)	Gravity	2014	[77]
Zangmu Dam	Tibet Autonomous Region	Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River	116 m (381 ft)	Gravity	2015	[78]
Sinanjiang Dam	Yunnan	Sinan River	115 m (377 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2008	[79]
Pankou Dam	Hubei	Du River	114 m (374 ft)	Concrete-face rock-fill	2012	[80]
Shitouhe Dam	Shaanxi	Shitouhe River	114 m (374 ft)	Embankment	1969	[72]
Yunfeng Dam	Jilin	Yalu River	113.75 m (373.2 ft)	Gravity	1965	[60]
Gelantan Dam	Yunnan	Lixian River	113 m (371 ft)	Gravity	2008	[81]
Mianhuatan Dam	Fujian	Ting River	113 m (371 ft)	Gravity	1999	[82]
Tianhuaban Dam	Yunnan	Niulan River	113 m (371 ft)	Arch	2011	[83]
Fengtan Dam	Hunan	You River	112.5 m (369 ft)	Arch-gravity	1978	[84]
Dachaoshan Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	111 m (364 ft)	Gravity	2003	[85]
Longjiang Dam	Yunnan	Long River	110 m (361 ft)	Arch	2010	[86]
Yantan Dam	Guangdong	Hongshui River	110 m (360 ft)	Gravity	1995	[87]
Jinghong Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	108 m (354 ft)	Gravity	2008	[88]
Xinanjiang (Qiandao) Dam	Zhejiang	Qiantang River	108 m (354 ft)	Gravity	1959	[89]
Lower Baoquan Dam	Henan Province	Yuhe River	107.5 m (353 ft)	Gravity	1994/2011	[90]
Panjiakou Dam	Hebei	Luan River	107.5 m (353 ft)	Gravity	1984	[60]
Huanglongtan Dam	Hubei	Du River	107 m (351 ft)	Gravity	1976	[60]
Sanmenxia Dam	Henan/Shanxi	Yellow River	106 m (348 ft)	Gravity	1960	[91]
Dahuaqiao Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	106 m (348 ft)	Gravity	2018	[92]
Shuifeng (Sup'ung) Dam	Liaoning	Yalu River	106 m (348 ft)	Gravity	1941	[93]
Madushan Dam	Yunnan	Honghe (Red) River	105.5 m (346 ft)	Gravity	2011	[94]
Gongguoqiao Dam	Yunnan	Lancang River	105 m (344 ft)	Gravity	2011	[95]
Wanjiazhai Dam	Shaanxi	Yellow River	105 m (344 ft)	Gravity	1998	[96]
Xinfengjiang Dam	Guangdong	Xinfeng River	105 m (344 ft)	Gravity	1962	[72]
Zhexi Dam	Hunan	Zi Shui River	104 m (341 ft)	Gravity	1962	[72]
Jinshuitan Dam	Zhejiang	Longquan Creek	102 m (335 ft)	Arch	1988	[42]
Bikou Dam	Gansu	Bailong River	101 m (331 ft)	Embankment	1977	[97]
Jishixia Dam	Qinghai	Yellow River	101 m (331 ft)	Gravity	2010	[98]
Lubuge Dam	Guizhou\Yunnan	Huangni River	101 m (331 ft)	Embankment	1988	[72]
Shuikou Dam	Fujian	Min River	101 m (331 ft)	Gravity	1996	[99]

Under construction

Name	Region, province or city	Impounds	Height	Type	Completion	Notes
Medog Hydropower Station	Tibet Autonomous Region	Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River	-	Hydropower	2033	[100]

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in China
• List of tallest dams in the world