The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest river in the world. Spanning over 6,000 kilometers, the Yangtze River is an important source of water and transportation to the densely populated regions on its banks. However, the depths of the spacious Yangtze River have caused researchers to have difficulty measuring exactly how deep it is.
The official depth of the Yangtze is measured around the Three Gorges Dam. According to the China Three Gorges Corporation, the reservoir behind the dam reaches depths of up to the 170meters deep. However, researchers and scientists have discovered deeper areas of the Yangtze River outside of the dam. Above the Gezhouba Dam, located in Hubei Province, the main channel has a deepest point of 211 meters.
In addition to the reservoirs of the dams, the Yangtze River is also a vast and grand river that spans over 15 provinces and five autonomous regions. Below the Three Gorges Dam, where the river opens out into the East China Sea, it becomes difficult for sailors to detect its topographic features, as the Yangtze’s waters are shown to be slowly changing the landscape due to their slippery power.
Whilst there have been no direct measurements of the depths of the East China Sea, researchers and engineers hypothesize, based on the measurement of the potential thermal head of the Yangtze River system, that the river must reach depths of at least 300 to 350 meters.
The reason for the sheer depths of the mighty Yangtze River is its long history, estimated to be over 85 million years old. As such, the river has developed a significant amount of energy as it travels downhill and out to sea. Geographers have also noted how the sediments presented along the Yangtze River’s course have contributed to it becoming deeper, as they slowly build up along its bottom.
The Grand Canal and Yellow River further influence the depths of the Yangtze, as both rivers navigable to the ocean input large amounts of sediment into the Yangtze River, filling it up rather quickly. This phenomenon has been understood to produce the extra deep waters and waves that can be measured up to the mouth of the East China Sea
The pollution facing the Yangtze River is a pressing and contentious issue. In 2013, it was estimated by Nature that over half of the sediment transported by the Yangtze was man-made, introducing hazardous pollutants and chemicals into its waters. As the reservoir and depths of the Yangtze River continue to be studied, the materials released from the cities, industry, and agriculture will be carefully monitored, further adding pressure on scientists and engineers to ensure the river is kept clean for the benefit of all.
The Yangtze’s Impact On Local Ecosystems
The Yangtze River’s long history and expansive boundaries has resulted in the river becoming a habitat for more than 700 species of animals, some of which are in danger of becoming extinct due to over fishing, water pollution, and climate change. Species such as the Chinese Sturgeon, Finless Porpoise, and Yangtze Tortoise have all been included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) list of threatened species.
Despite the threats of extinction, the Yangtze River’s depths also provide many species with a comfortable breeding ground and safe area to thrive. The deep channels of the river, as well as the thousands of tributaries flowing into it, create a vast and dynamic habitat for various fish and aquatic species. Fish species such as the Silver Carp, Common Carp, and Chinese Carp are known to prospers within the river, which provide significant economic gains to many regions of China.
In recent years, new projects focusing on the conservation and protection of the Yangtze River’s diverse ecosystems have been implemented. This includes projects that focus on the protection of the giant pandas, one of the most famous species from Chinese nature. The Chinese government has recognized the need to protect the impressive biodiversity of the Yangtze River and its ecosystem and created various efforts to monitor and reconstruct the environment.
On the other hand, the depths of the Yangtze River have also had a devastating effect on certain areas. In 2020, 500 kilometers of embankment along the Yangtze River collapsed in Sichuan, which resulted in countless homes and villages being swallowed by the river. This catastrophe stressed the importance of environmental protection and safety, considering the vast depths and unknown topography of the river.
The Impact Of The New Three Gorges Dam On Yangtze Depth
China’s Three Gorges Dam is an iconic symbol of the country’s industrialization, but it is also an important source of electricity and source of water Navigation for the country. Built in 1996, the dam stands at the point in the river where the Yangtze is the deepest, at 181 meters. Although the dam is designed to be able to regulate flooding, there has been debate surrounding the human and environmental costs of the dam’s construction.
One of the main problems with the three gorges dam is that it has trapped silt, which is slowly filling up the reservoir behind it. This has resulted in the continued deepening of the Yangtze River beyond the reservoir. According to experts, this has caused the depth of the river to increase even further, and in some areas, it is estimated to be around 300 meters deep.
In addition, due to the immense depths of the river and heavy sedimentation, the river’s tributaries downstream are more vulnerable to being overwhelmed. This is due to the sheer power of the Yangtze and its ability to erode large amounts of sediment away, as well as its tendency to collect and pile up more sediment in certain areas due to its depth.
As such, the Three Gorges Dam has not just changed the depths of the Yangtze River, but it has also contributed to the the changing ecosystems of the river itself. With the elevation of the water level, fish species that require shallower waters have had to migrate and find new areas to live and breed, while deeper species have become more common downstream. As a result, the population of some species, such as the Chinese Sturgeon, have significantly decreased in the last 20 years.
A Look At The Grand Yangtze River Crossing
In 2020, the Grand Yangtze River Crossing was opened, which is a massive, 6,332-meter-long (20,700 feet) bridge stretching across the Yangtze River from the city of Nanjing in Jiangsu Province to Nantong in Zhejiang Province. This bridge, considered one of the world’s most daring engineering projects, was designed to meet China’s expanding transportation demands.
Due to the vast depths of the river, the Grand Yangtze River Crossing was a suitable way to connect the two sides of the river and allowed the Chinese government to revolutionize the world’s longest river crossing. Spanning across the second deepest point of the Yangtze River, the Grand river Crossing is comprised of a four-kilometer-long main bridge, as well as automobile and rail routes.
The bridge also included four vertical columns and five horizontal supports that help to support its structure. Some of these columns descend up to 92 meters into the depths of the river, making the Grand Yangtze River Crossing the construction of its kind in the world. Additionally, its construction was also completed in five and a half years, with engineers and crews having to battle the unpredictable waters of the Yangtze.
The completion of the Grand Yangtze River Crossing is an example of how man can work alongside nature. The bridge offers a safe path for travelers to cross the river, however, it does not disrupt the natural flow of the water or the environment it resides in. With smart engineering, the Changjiang River stood a chance against the might of the Yangtze River.
A Perspective On The Yangtze River’s Unruptured History
Although the Yangtze River has been fitted with dams, bridges, and other constructions, there are still lots of areas along its length that remain untouched by human hands. The great depths of the river, coupled with the unfavorable weather conditions of the region, have allowed the Yangtze to remain unmodified in certain areas. This has resulted in many interesting and rarely seen areas of the Yangtze River that still exist in their natural state.
Reaching depths of up to 325 meters, the Yangtze has some of the deepest waters in the world, making it difficult for human activity to reach such depths. This has created a sort of sanctuary for extremely rare species of animals, such as the Chinese Alligator and Finless Porpoise, which allow researchers to explore the depths of the Yangtze in a safe and responsible manner.
Furthermore, archeological findings have demonstrated that the ancient civilizations living along the Yangtze also left a valuable cultural heritage along its banks. The archaeological excavation at the Three Gorges Project revealed over 20,000 ancient relics and artifacts, some of which have been around for over 6,000 years.
Although hundreds of hydroelectric power plants have been built in the area, the nature of the Yangtze River remains the same. The river continues to carry sediment and nutrients downstream, creating a large and diverse food web and playing an important role in the complex Chinese ecological system.
Conclusion
The mighty Yangtze River offers a vast landscape to marine life and travelers alike, with its depths of over 300 meters being a marvel to scientist, historians, and explorers. The river’s cultural and ecological significance makes it a precious asset to Chinese heritage and a symbol of the country’s resilience and strength. Although various issues such as pollution and flooding remain, the Yangtze River is an important source of life, culture, and sustenance.
