why had natural flooding of the yankze river become more of an issue before the three gorges dam project?
Check the fatalities from floods in the 20th century.
http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=395&catid=10&subcatid=65
The natural flooding of the Yangtze River had become more of an issue before the Three Gorges Dam project due to various factors:
1. Geographical factors: The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia, running through several topographically diverse regions such as Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Sichuan Basin, and the Eastern plains. These regions receive heavy rainfall and are prone to frequent typhoons and seasonal monsoons, leading to increased runoff into the river.
2. Rapid urbanization and deforestation: With rapid economic development, urbanization, and population growth, there was increased demand for land. This resulted in deforestation, especially in the upstream regions, which reduced the natural ability of vegetation to absorb rainfall and to slow down water flow. Moreover, urbanization increased impermeable surfaces such as concrete, which prevented water absorption.
3. Limited flood control infrastructure: Before the Three Gorges Dam, there was limited infrastructure to manage and control floodwaters. Traditional flood control measures such as embankments and levees were not sufficient to deal with the increased volume and force of floodwaters.
4. Historical mistakes: In the past, inadequate flood management strategies and infrastructure led to catastrophic losses of life and property. For instance, in 1954, severe flooding along the Yangtze River resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people. These events highlighted the need for a more effective flood control system.
To address these challenges, the Chinese government decided to construct the Three Gorges Dam. The dam project aimed to control the flow of water, mitigate flood risks, generate hydroelectric power, and improve navigation on the Yangtze River.