Definition
Zipingpu Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Min River near Chengdu, in Sichuan Province, China. The dam is primarily used for water supply, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.
Overview
Construction of the Zipingpu Dam began in 1997 and was completed in 2000, with the reservoir reaching its full operating level in 2001. The structure forms the Zipingpu Reservoir, which supplies municipal water to Chengdu and surrounding areas, regulates downstream flood peaks, and provides renewable electricity. The dam gained international attention after the 2008 Wenchuan (Sichuan) earthquake, when post‑earthquake inspections confirmed that the dam remained structurally sound.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Zipingpu” (紫坪铺) derives from the local place name where the dam is situated. In Mandarin Chinese, “zǐ” (紫) means “purple,” “píng” (坪) denotes a flat or level ground, and “pù” (铺) can refer to a settlement or a place where goods are laid out. Consequently, “Zipingpu” can be interpreted as “Purple Flat Settlement,” reflecting the historical naming of the valley before the dam’s construction.
Characteristics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Concrete arch dam |
| River | Min River (a tributary of the Yangtze) |
| Location | Approximately 10 km north of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China |
| Height | 155 m (approximately) |
| Crest Length | 480 m (approximately) |
| Reservoir Capacity | About 0.4 km³ (400 million m³) |
| Primary Purposes | Municipal water supply, flood control, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation |
| Power Plant Capacity | 500 MW, typically achieved with four 125 MW Francis turbine generators |
| Owner / Operator | Sichuan Provincial Water Resources Department (or a related provincial authority) |
| Commissioning | First turbine commissioned in 2001; full plant operational by 2002 |
| Safety Record | Inspected after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake; assessments concluded the dam remained stable and without significant damage |
Related Topics
- Min River – The river on which the dam is built, an important tributary of the Yangtze River.
- Hydroelectric Power in China – China’s extensive development of hydroelectric facilities, of which Zipingpu is a component.
- 2008 Sichuan (Wenchuan) Earthquake – A magnitude 8.0 earthquake that prompted safety evaluations of dams in the region, including Zipingpu.
- Concrete Arch Dams – A dam type that relies on arch action to transfer water pressure to the abutments, exemplified by structures such as the Hoover Dam and Zipingpu Dam.
- Water Management in Chengdu – The broader municipal water supply and flood control network serving Chengdu, incorporating Zipingpu Reservoir among other resources.
Note: All technical specifications are based on publicly available engineering and governmental sources as of the knowledge cutoff date.