iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Three Gorges ship lift does not control floods. Reservoir operators create flood-storage space by lowering the reservoir ahead of flood season and then manage releases as water arrives. Separately, the ship lift carries eligible vessels past the dam, alongside the multi-stage ship locks. Those two systems help keep water management and river navigation working, but they do different jobs.
How does the Three Gorges Dam control floods?
Flood protection comes from the reservoir, not from lifting boats. Before flood season, operators lower the reservoir to leave space for incoming water. By holding some floodwater and controlling when water is released, the reservoir can reduce or delay downstream peaks.
China Three Gorges Corporation reported that the reservoir stood at 147.78 metres on 7 June 2026, creating 20.8 billion cubic metres of flood-control capacity. That is a dated operating condition, not a fixed capacity figure that applies every year. The operator also said released water supports downstream navigation and water supply. China Three Gorges Corporation reported the drawdown on 10 June 2026.
A historical example shows the scale of the reservoir’s role: during the Yangtze’s first and second numbered floods in 2024, the reservoir intercepted 12.68 billion cubic metres, according to an operator report dated 11 October 2024. That figure describes those 2024 floods; it is not a measure of ship-lift performance. China Three Gorges Corporation’s 2024 report attributed the interception to the reservoir.
#1 Best Overall
- A 80-5152 construction kit of the Colombo express
- At the time of commissioning in 2005 she was the largest container ship in the world
- Two-part hull with bow thruster, rotating Ships propeller and moving rudder
- 23 container blocks with fine details
How does a ship get past the Three Gorges Dam?
Vessels cross the dam using either the ship lift or the five-stage ship-lock system. The lift is a vertical caisson that raises or lowers a vessel with the water around it. The locks move vessels through a sequence of chambers, raising or lowering the water level in stages. They are complementary routes, not interchangeable systems: an operator account says larger vessels use the locks while smaller eligible boats use the lift. Actual access depends on current navigation rules and notices.
How the ship lift works
A vessel enters a water-filled caisson, which is then moved vertically to the level on the other side of the dam. China Three Gorges Corporation describes the mechanism as using 256 steel cables and a rack-and-pinion system. In its 22 May 2024 account, the operator said the lift could synchronize movement to within a height deviation of 2 centimetres and conduct about 22 operations per day. The daily operating rate is an operator-reported figure, not a guarantee of continuous availability.
Rank #2
- AUTHENTIC CARGO DESIGN: A detailed 10-inch scale model of a modern bulk carrier, featuring a streamlined blue and red hull, white bridge superstructure, and simulated deck cargo hatches for a realistic industrial look.
- DESK-READY DIMENSIONS: Measuring 10 inches in length, this model is perfectly sized for professional environments, fitting comfortably on office desks, bookshelves, or mantlepieces without overcrowding the space.
- NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: Arrives fully assembled with a high-quality multi-color finish (Blue, Red, and White). Skip the tedious painting and gluing—this model is ready for immediate display right out of the box.
- STURDY & STABLE: Engineered with a flat-bottomed hull for maximum stability on flat surfaces. No flimsy display stands required; the ship sits securely on any level surface in your home or office.
- THE PERFECT LOGISTICS GIFT: An ideal professional gift for supply chain managers, freight forwarders, merchant mariners, and maritime enthusiasts who appreciate the "titans of trade" that power the global economy.
The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense described the lift in 2016 as having a maximum vertical rise of 113 metres and serving 3,000-tonne-class vessels. Its caisson is 132 metres long, 23.4 metres wide and 10 metres high; the lifting weight exceeds 15,500 tonnes. The route is about 5,000 metres long, and the tower structure is 146 metres tall. These are design specifications reported in the 2016 announcement, not a statement that every vessel of that class can use the lift.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How the lift compares with the ship locks
The lift can provide a shorter passage for eligible vessels, while the multi-stage locks serve different traffic and have their own operating constraints. The available time figures use different dates and comparison bases, so they should not be treated as a single head-to-head measurement.
Rank #3
- Cargo ship model meet your passion for military nautical collectibles with beautiful design.
- An accurate scale paper model for collectors and enthusiasts.
- Material: paper
- Model: Polish Gdansk Cargo Ship
- Model size (when you finish it): 30CM long
| Measure | Ship lift | Ship locks |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel class stated | Designed for 3,000-tonne-class vessels (2016 government announcement). | No vessel capacity figure stated in the cited sources. |
| Passage time cited | About 40 minutes was the 2016 government announcement’s expected time for eligible vessels. In May 2024, the operator separately reported an average transit time through the dam of about 49 minutes after precision-management improvements. | About 3.5 hours was the 2016 announcement’s estimate for passage through the permanent ship lock. |
| Role | Vertical caisson route for eligible vessels; operator reporting describes smaller boats using the lift. | Five-stage route; an operator account describes larger vessels using the locks. |
The figures do not establish that every lift transit takes 40 or 49 minutes, or that every lock passage takes 3.5 hours. In particular, the 2016 estimate and the operator’s 2024 average use distinct reported bases.
Can ships pass through the dam during floods?
Flood conditions and navigation availability are related through river and reservoir operations, but the ship lift is not a flood-control device. The sources establish that navigation continued to record vessel activity during 2024 flood operations; they do not establish that the lift or locks are always available during floods.
Rank #4
- Accurate Scale Model
- Highly Detailed Model Kit
- Full Instructions Included
In a report dated 11 October 2024, China Three Gorges Corporation described separate vessel activity for the locks and lift through the end of September, following the reservoir’s interception of water during the first and second numbered floods. Keep those traffic records distinct from the floodwater volume: vessel movements measure navigation, while intercepted water describes reservoir operations.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Availability can change. China’s Ministry of Transport listed a notice on 29 September 2026 announcing restoration of ship-lift navigation following an interruption. For a trip or shipment, check current official navigation notices rather than assuming uninterrupted service. Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China publishes navigation information.
Best Value
- AUTHENTIC MARITIME DESIGN: Celebrate the backbone of global trade with a highly detailed, 10-inch scale model of a modern container ship. Features a striking multi-color finish with a streamlined red and black hull, a crisp white bridge superstructure, and precisely arranged red and blue deck containers.
- READY FOR DISPLAY (NO ASSEMBLY): Skip the hassle of tedious gluing, painting, or model kit construction. This premium cargo vessel arrives fully assembled and ready to immediately elevate your space right out of the box.
- PERFECT DESK-READY DIMENSIONS: Measuring exactly 10 inches in length, this compact scale model is perfectly sized for professional environments. It fits seamlessly onto office desks, bookshelves, display cases, or conference room tables without overcrowding the area.
- STURDY, FLAT-BOTTOMED DESIGN: Engineered with a flat, stable hull that sits securely on any level surface. No flimsy display stands or mounts are required, making it a robust and worry-free decorative accent for active environments.
- THE ULTIMATE LOGISTICS & MARITIME GIFT: An ideal professional gift for supply chain managers, freight forwarders, maritime enthusiasts, merchant mariners, or anyone who appreciates the titans of international commerce.
What has the ship lift carried?
In an account dated 22 May 2024, China Three Gorges Corporation reported more than 40,500 cumulative safe operations since the September 2016 trial, carrying more than 16.829 million tonnes of cargo and more than 1.1 million passengers. These are cumulative totals as reported on that date, not annual totals or current counts.
The same operator account characterized the lift as the world’s largest ship lift. The measurable design figures above are more useful for understanding its operation: it raises a caisson containing a vessel, while flood protection depends on how the reservoir is managed.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
