Dams and reservoirs in China are numerous and have had a profound effect on the country's development and people. According to the World Commission on Dams in 2000, there were 22,104 dams over the height of 15 m (49 ft) operating in China. Of the world's total large dams, China accounts for the most – 20 percent of them; 45 percent of which are used for irrigation. Accordingly, the oldest in China still in use belongs to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System which dates back to 256 BC. In 2005, there were over 80,000 reservoirs in the country and over 4,800 dams completed or under construction that meet or exceed 30 m (98 ft) in height. As of 2007, China is also the world's leader in the construction of large dams; just behind Turkey and Japan in a distant third. The tallest dam in China is the Xiaowan Dam at 292 m (958 ft) which is also the tallest arch dam in the world. The largest reservoir is created by the Three Gorges Dam which stores 39.3 billion m3 (31,900,000 acre feet) of water and has a surface area of 1,045 km2 (403 sq mi). Three Gorges is also the world's largest power station.
Dams and their associated reservoirs are constructed by the country for several reasons to include: hydroelectric power generation, flood control, irrigation, drought mitigation, navigation and tourism. China has the largest potential for hydropower in the world and currently ranks first in hydroelectric generating capacity with about 200,000 MW online. These benefits have come with adverse effects such as resettlement and inundation while impeding river flow often leads to habitat loss and on certain rivers there are issues with trans-boundary river flow. Below is a partial list of dams and reservoirs in China which are both complete and under construction. The most notable by height, type and reservoir size are among those listed.
| Name | Division | Impounds | Height | Type | Storage capacity | Complete | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahai Dam | Yunnan Province | Jinsha River | 130 m (427 ft) | Gravity | 8,820,000,000 m3 (7,150,490 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Ankang Dam | Shaanxi Province | Han River | 128 m (420 ft) | Gravity | 2,580,000,000 m3 (2,091,640 acre·ft) | 1989 | |
| Baihetan Dam | Sichuan/Yunnan Provinces | Jinsha River | 277 m (909 ft) | Arch | 17,924,000,000 m3 (14,531,223 acre·ft) | 2019 | |
| Baise Dam | Guangxi | You River | 130 m (427 ft) | Gravity | 5,660,000,000 m3 (4,588,637 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Baozhusi Dam | Sichuan Province | Bailong River | 132 m (433 ft) | Gravity | 2,550,000,000 m3 (2,067,319 acre·ft) | 2000 | |
| Bashan Dam | Chongqing | Renhe River | 155 m (509 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 315,000,000 m3 (255,375 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Baishan Dam | Jilin Province | Second Songhua River | 149.5 m (490 ft) | Arch-gravity | 6,500,000,000 m3 (5,269,636 acre·ft) | 1984 | |
| Banqiao Dam | Henan Province | Ru River | 50.5 m (166 ft) | Embankment | 675,000,000 m3 (547,231 acre·ft) | 1952/93 | |
| Bikou Dam | Gansu Province | Bailong River | 101 m (331 ft) | Embankment | 521,000,000 m3 (422,382 acre·ft) | 1977 | |
| Changheba Dam | Sichuan Province | Dadu River | 240 m (787 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 1,075,000,000 m3 (871,517 acre·ft) | 2016 | |
| Changshou Dam | Chongqing | Yangtze River | 52 m (171 ft) | Embankment | 1,027,000,000 m3 (832,602 acre·ft) | 1954 | |
| Chengbihe Dam | Guangxi | Chengbihe River | 70 m (230 ft) | Embankment | 1,150,000,000 m3 (932,320 acre·ft) | 1961 | |
| Dachaoshan Dam | Yunnan Province | Lancang River | 111 m (364 ft) | Gravity | 940,000,000 m3 (762,070 acre·ft) | 2003 | |
| Dagangshan Dam | Sichuan Province | Dadu River | 210 m (689 ft) | Arch | 724,000,000 m3 (586,956 acre·ft) | 2012 | |
| Daguangba Dam | Hainan Province | Changua River | 57 m (187 ft) | Gravity/Embankment | 1,710,000,000 m3 (1,386,320 acre·ft) | 1995 | |
| Dahuashui Dam | Guizhou Province | Qingshuihe River | 134.5 m (441 ft) | Arch | 276,500,000 m3 (224,162 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Danjiangkou Dam | Hubei Province | Han River | 176.6 m (579 ft) | Gravity | 17,450,000,000 m3 (14,146,945 acre·ft) | 1973 | |
| Dongfeng Dam | Guizhou Province | Wu River | 162 m (531 ft) | Arch | 1,025,000,000 m3 (830,981 acre·ft) | 1995 | |
| Dongjing Dam | Guizhou Province | Beipan River | 150 m (492 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 955,000,000 m3 (774,231 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Dongjiang Dam | Hunan Province | Lishui River | 157 m (515 ft) | Arch | 9,565,000,000 m3 (7,754,472 acre·ft) | 1992 | |
| Dongping Dam | Hubei Province | Zhong River | 135 m (443 ft) | Arch | 336,000,000 m3 (272,400 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Ertan Dam | Sichuan Province | Yalong River | 240 m (787 ft) | Arch | 5,800,000,000 m3 (4,702,137 acre·ft) | 1999 | |
| Fengman Dam | Jilin Province | Second Songhua River | 91 m (299 ft) | Gravity | 11,460,000,000 m3 (9,290,773 acre·ft) | 1953 | |
| Fengshuba Dam | Guangdong Province | Dong River | 95.4 m (313 ft) | Gravity | 1,932,000,000 m3 (1,566,298 acre·ft) | 1974 | |
| Fengtan Dam | Hunan Province | You River | 112.5 m (369 ft) | Arch-gravity | 1,740,000,000 m3 (1,410,641 acre·ft) | 1978 | |
| Geheyan Dam | Hubei Province | Qing River | 157 m (515 ft) | Arch-gravity | 3,400,000,000 m3 (2,756,425 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Gelantan Dam | Yunnan Province | Lixian River | 113 m (371 ft) | Gravity | 409,000,000 m3 (331,582 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Gezhen Dam | Hainan Province | Changhua River | 34 m (112 ft) | Gravity/Embankment | 146,000,000 m3 (118,000 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Gezhouba Dam | Hubei Province | Yangtze River | 47 m (154 ft) | Gravity | 1,580,000,000 m3 (1,280,927 acre·ft) | 1988 | |
| Gongboxia Dam | Qinghai Province | Yellow River | 132 m (433 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 630,000,000 m3 (510,749 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Goupitan Dam | Guizhou Province | Wu River | 232.5 m (763 ft) | Arch | 6,451,000,000 m3 (5,229,911 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Guandi Dam | Sichuan Province | Yalong River | 168 m (551 ft) | Gravity | 760,000,000 m3 (616,142 acre·ft) | 2012 | |
| Guangzhao Dam | Yunnan Province | Beipan River | 200.5 m (658 ft) | Gravity | 3,254,000,000 m3 (2,638,061 acre·ft) | 2004 | |
| Guanyinyan Dam | Yunnan/Sichuan Province | Jinsha River | 159 m (522 ft) | Gravity | 2,072,000,000 m3 (1,679,798 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Guxian Dam | Henan Province | Luohe River | 125 m (410 ft) | Gravity | 1,175,000,000 m3 (952,588 acre·ft) | 1995 | |
| Huating Dam | Anhui Province | Changhe River | 57.9 m (190 ft) | Embankment | 2,390,000,000 m3 (1,937,605 acre·ft) | 1976 | |
| Hongjiadu Dam | Guizhou Province | Liuchong River | 179.5 m (589 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 4,947,000,000 m3 (4,010,598 acre·ft) | 2005 | |
| Hongkou Dam | Fujian Province | Huotong River | 130 m (427 ft) | Gravity | 449,700,000 m3 (364,578 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Hongshi Dam | Jilin Province | Second Songhua River | 46 m (151 ft) | Gravity | 1,630,000,000 m3 (1,321,463 acre·ft) | 1985 | |
| Houziyan Dam | Guizhou Province | Dadu River | 223.5 m (733 ft) | Embankment | 662,000,000 m3 (536,692 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Huanglongtan Dam | Hubei Province | Duhe River | 107 m (351 ft) | Gravity | 1,228,000,000 m3 (995,556 acre·ft) | 1976 | |
| Hunanzhen Dam | Zhejiang Province | Qiantang River | 129 m (423 ft) | Buttress | 2,067,000,000 m3 (1,675,744 acre·ft) | 1980 | |
| Jiangkou Dam | Chongqing | Furong River | 139 m (456 ft) | Arch | 497,000,000 m3 (402,924 acre·ft) | 2003 | |
| Jiangpinghe Dam | Hubei Province | Loushui River | 221 m (725 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 1,366,000,000 m3 (1,107,434 acre·ft) | 2012 | |
| Jiangya Dam | Hunan Province | Loushui River | 131 m (430 ft) | Gravity | 1,740,000,000 m3 (1,410,641 acre·ft) | 2000 | |
| Jilintai I Dam | Xinjiang | Kashgar River | 157 m (515 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 2,530,000,000 m3 (2,051,104 acre·ft) | 2005 | |
| Jinanqiao Dam | Yunnan Province | Jinsha River | 160 m (525 ft) | Gravity | 847,000,000 m3 (686,674 acre·ft) | 2010 | |
| Jinghong Dam | Yunnan Province | Lancang River | 108 m (354 ft) | Gravity | 249,000,000 m3 (201,868 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Jinping-I Dam | Sichuan Province | Yalong River | 305 m (1,001 ft) | Arch | 7,700,000,000 m3 (6,200,000 acre·ft) | 2012 | |
| Jinping-II Dam | Sichuan Province | Yalong River | 37 m (121 ft) | Gravity | 14,200,000 m3 (11,500 acre·ft) | 2014 | |
| Jinshuitan Dam | Zhejiang Province | Longquan Creek | 102 m (335 ft) | Arch | 13,930,000,000 m3 (11,290,000 acre·ft) | 1988 | |
| Jishixia Dam | Qinghai Province | Yellow River | 101 m (331 ft) | Gravity | 263,500,000 m3 (213,600 acre·ft) | 2010 | |
| Jiudianxia Dam | Gansu Province | Tao River | 136.5 m (448 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 94,300,000 m3 (76,450 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Jufudu Dam | Yunnan Province | Lixian River | 95 m (312 ft) | Gravity | 174,000,000 m3 (141,064 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Laxiwa Dam | Qinghai Province | Yellow River | 250 m (820 ft) | Arch | 1,079,000,000 m3 (875,000 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Lianghekou Dam | Sichuan Province | Yalong River | 295 m (968 ft) | Arch | 6,330,000,000 m3 (5,131,815 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Lijiaxia Dam | Qinghai Province | Yellow River | 155 m (509 ft) | Arch-gravity | 1,650,000,000 m3 (1,337,677 acre·ft) | 1997 | |
| Liujiaxia Dam | Gansu Province | Yellow River | 147 m (482 ft) | Gravity | 4,240,000,000 m3 (3,437,424 acre·ft) | 1969 | |
| Liuxihe Dam | Guangdong Province | Liuxihe River | 78 m (256 ft) | Arch | 325,000,000 m3 (263,482 acre·ft) | 1958 | |
| Liyuan Dam | Yunnan Province | Jinsha River | 155 m (509 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 727,000,000 m3 (589,388 acre·ft) | 2012 | |
| Longkaikou Dam | Yunnan Province | Jinsha River | 119 m (390 ft) | Gravity | 544,000,000 m3 (441,028 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Longma Dam | Yunnan Province | Lixian River | 135 m (443 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 590,000,000 m3 (478,321 acre·ft) | 2007 | |
| Longshou II Dam | Gansu Province | Heihe River | 146.5 m (481 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 86,200,000 m3 (69,883 acre·ft) | 2004 | |
| Longtan Dam | Guangxi | Hongshui River | 216 m (709 ft) | Gravity | 27,270,000,000 m3 (22,108,149 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Longyangxia Dam | Qinghai Province | Yellow River | 178 m (584 ft) | Arch | 24,700,000,000 m3 (20,024,616 acre·ft) | 1992 | |
| Ludila Dam | Yunnan Province | Jinsha River | 120 m (394 ft) | Gravity | 1,718,000,000 m3 (1,392,805 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Malutang Dam | Yunnan Province | Panlong River | 156 m (512 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 546,000,000 m3 (442,649 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Manwan Dam | Yunnan Province | Lancang River | 132 m (433 ft) | Gravity | 920,000,000 m3 (745,856 acre·ft) | 1995 | |
| Mianhuatan Dam | Fujian Province | Ting River | 113 m (371 ft) | Gravity | 1,698,000,000 m3 (1,376,591 acre·ft) | 1999 | |
| Nierji Dam | Heilongjiang Province/Inner Mongolia | Nen River | 41.5 m (136 ft) | Embankment, rock-fill | 8,610,000,000 m3 (6,980,000 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Niululing Dam | Hainan Province | Wanquan Basin | 90.5 m (297 ft) | Gravity | 778,000,000 m3 (631,000 acre·ft) | 1982 | |
| Nuozhadu Dam | Yunnan Province | Lancang River | 261.5 m (858 ft) | Embankment, rock-fill | 21,749,000,000 m3 (17,632,000 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Panjiakou Dam | Hebei Province | Luan River | 107.5 m (353 ft) | Gravity | 2,930,000,000 m3 (2,375,390 acre·ft) | 1984 | |
| Pengshui Dam | Chongqing | Wu River | 116.5 m (382 ft) | Arch | 518,000,000 m3 (419,949 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Pubugou Dam | Sichuan Province | Dadu River | 186 m (610 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 5,390,000,000 m3 (4,369,744 acre·ft) | 2010 | |
| Sanbanxi Dam | Guizhou Province | Yuan (Qingshui) River | 185.5 m (609 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 4,094,000,000 m3 (3,319,060 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Sanmenxia Dam | Henan/Shanxi Province | Yellow River | 106 m (348 ft) | Gravity | 16,200,000,000 m3 (13,133,554 acre·ft) | 1960 | |
| Shapai Dam | Sichuan Province | Caopo River | 130 m (427 ft) | Arch | 3,135,000,000 m3 (2,541,586 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Shatuo Dam | Guizhou Province | Wu River | 156 m (512 ft) | Arch | 631,000,000 m3 (511,560 acre·ft) | 2009 | |
| Shiyazi Dam | Guizhou Province | Hongjiadu River | 134.5 m (441 ft) | Gravity | 321,500,000 m3 (260,644 acre·ft) | 2010 | |
| Shimenkan Dam | Yunnan Province | Lixian River | 116 m (381 ft) | Arch | 197,000,000 m3 (159,710 acre·ft) | 2010 | |
| Shisanling Dam | Beijing | Wenyu River | 29 m (95 ft) | Embankment | 59,000,000 m3 (47,832 acre·ft) | 1995 | |
| Shuangjiangkou Dam | Sichuan Province | Dadu River | 312 m (1,024 ft) | Embankment, rock-fill | 3,135,000,000 m3 (2,541,586 acre·ft) | 2020 | |
| Shuibuya Dam | Hubei Province | Qing River | 233 m (764 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 4,580,000,000 m3 (3,710,000 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Shuifeng (Sup'ung) Dam | Liaoning Province | Yalu River | 106 m (348 ft) | Gravity | 14,600,000,000 m3 (11,836,413 acre·ft) | 1941 | |
| Shuikou Dam | Fujian Province | Min River | 101 m (331 ft) | Gravity | 2,600,000,000 m3 (2,100,000 acre·ft) | 1996 | |
| Silin Dam | Guizhou Province | Wu River | 117 m (384 ft) | Gravity | 1,205,000,000 m3 (977,000 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Songtao Dam | Hainan Province | Nandu River | 80.7 m (265 ft) | Embankment, earth-fill | 3,070,000,000 m3 (2,490,000 acre·ft) | 1969 | |
| Suofengying Dam | Guizhou Province | Wu River | 121 m (397 ft) | Gravity | 201,200,000 m3 (163,115 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Tankeng Dam | Zhejiang Province | Ou River | 162 m (531 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 4,190,000,000 m3 (3,396,888 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Tengzigou Dam | Chongqing | Dragon River | 127 m (417 ft) | Arch | 193,000,000 m3 (156,468 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Three Gorges Dam | Hubei Province | Yangtze River | 181 m (594 ft) | Gravity | 39,300,000,000 m3 (31,900,000 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Tianhuangping Dam | Zhejiang Province | Daxi Creek | 72 m (236 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 6,770,000 m3 (5,490 acre·ft) | 2004 | |
| Tianshengqiao-I Dam | Guizhou/Guangxi Province | Nanpan River | 178 m (584 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 10,257,000,000 m3 (8,315,000 acre·ft) | 2000 | |
| Tianshengqiao-II Dam | Guizhou/Guangxi Province | Nanpan River | 58.7 m (193 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 26,000,000 m3 (21,000 acre·ft) | 1997 | |
| Tingzikou Dam | Sichuan Province | Jialing River | 116 m (381 ft) | Gravity | 4,067,000,000 m3 (3,297,000 acre·ft) | 2014 | |
| Tukahe Dam | Yunnan Province | Lixian River | 59.2 m (194 ft) | Gravity | 88,000,000 m3 (71,343 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Wanjiazhai Dam | Shaanxi Province | Yellow River | 105 m (344 ft) | Gravity | 896,000,000 m3 (726,000 acre·ft) | 1998 | |
| Wawushan Dam | Sichuan Province | Zhougonghe River | 138 m (453 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 545,000,000 m3 (441,839 acre·ft) | 2007 | |
| Wudu Dam | Sichuan Province | Fu River | 120 m (394 ft) | Gravity | 572,000,000 m3 (463,728 acre·ft) | 2008 | |
| Wujiangdu Dam | Guizhou Province | Wu River | 165 m (541 ft) | Arch-gravity | 2,300,000,000 m3 (1,900,000 acre·ft) | 1979 | |
| Wuluwati Dam | Xinjiang | Kalakashi River | 138 m (453 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 347,000,000 m3 (281,317 acre·ft) | 2001 | |
| Wuqiangxi Dam | Hunan Province | Yuan River | 87.5 m (287 ft) | Gravity | 4,350,000,000 m3 (3,530,000 acre·ft) | 1996 | |
| Xiangjiaba Dam | Yunnan/Sichuan Provinces | Jinsha River | 161 m (528 ft) | Embankment, rock-fill | 5,163,000,000 m3 (4,185,712 acre·ft) | 2015 | |
| Xiaolangdi Dam | Henan Province | Yellow River | 154 m (505 ft) | Embankment, rock-fill | 12,800,000,000 m3 (10,377,129 acre·ft) | 2000 | |
| Xiaowan Dam | Yunnan Province | Lancang River | 292 m (958 ft) | Arch | 15,000,000,000 m3 (12,000,000 acre·ft) | 2010 | |
| Xiluodu Dam | Yunnan Province | Jinsha River | 278 m (912 ft) | Arch | 12,670,000,000 m3 (10,270,000 acre·ft) | 2013 | |
| Xinanjiang (Qiandao) Dam | Zheijang Province | Qiantang River | 108 m (354 ft) | Gravity | 22,000,000,000 m3 (18,000,000 acre·ft) | 1959 | |
| Yantan Dam | Guangdong Province | Hongshui River | 110 m (361 ft) | Gravity | 2,612,000,000 m3 (2,118,000 acre·ft) | 1995 | |
| Yayangshan Dam | Yunnan Province | Lixian River | 88 m (289 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 247,000,000 m3 (200,000 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Yele Dam | Sichuan Province | Nanya River | 124.5 m (408 ft) | Embankment | 298,000,000 m3 (242,000 acre·ft) | 2006 | |
| Yulongyan Dam | Hunan Province | Gongxi River | 96 m (315 ft) | Arch | 57,800,000 m3 (46,900 acre·ft) | 2005 | |
| Yunfeng Dam | Jilin Province | Yalu River | 113.75 m (373 ft) | Gravity | 3,895,000,000 m3 (3,157,728 acre·ft) | 1965 | |
| Zangmu Dam | Tibet Autonomous Region | Brahmaputra River | 116 m (381 ft) | Gravity | Unknown | 2015 | |
| Zhelin Dam | Jiangxi Province | Zhelin River | 72.5 m (238 ft) | Embankment, earth-fill | 7,900,000,000 m3 (6,404,634 acre·ft) | 1972 | |
| Zipingpu Dam | Sichuan Province | Min River | 156 m (512 ft) | Concrete-face rock-fill | 1,120,000,000 m3 (907,999 acre·ft) | 2006 |
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