Why is one of the world’s greatest rivers drying up? Well it’s got nothing to do with the giant dam built on it, according to the Chinese government.

Water levels on the Yangtze are currently the lowest on record, and records began in 1866. This is according to China Daily, quoting the Changjiang Times (which I can’t read as it’s not in English, sorry about that).

Officials say less rainfall is to blame for the levels, which have led to many ships running aground. The Yangtze River Water Resource Commission says, “The lack of rain is the major reason for the drying-up of the Yangtze.”

The newspaper though also notes that large amounts of water were stored behind the controversial Three Gorges Dam last month, leading to a 50% lower volume of water flowing downriver.

Whatever the truth of this matter it highlights once again the problems with the dam, which even China has admitted “could lead to catastrophe” (Great Beyond post from last year). “The major worry is for aquatic species and birds. If the water level goes too low they will lose a huge level of habitat,” says Li Lifeng, director of the freshwater programme of WWF China (Guardian)

See also

Three Gorges dam set in stone – Nature from May 2006

Yangtze River’s Three Gorges 2 mln years in the making – Xinhua

China’s longest river at lowest in 142 years – Reuters

Parts of China’s Yangtze at lowest level in 140 years: report – AFP

Image: dam in partial completion / NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using ASTER data made available by NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team, via Visible Earth.