Shimenkan Dam, Arch dam and hydroelectric station in Yunnan Province, China
Shimenkan Dam is an arch-type structure spanning 356 meters across the Lixian River between Ning'er and Mojiang County. Two Francis turbines inside the facility generate electricity for regional distribution across Yunnan.
Construction started in 2007 under Yunnan Datang International Lixianjiang River Basin Hydropower Development Company. The project was part of China's broader strategy to develop hydroelectric resources in the Yunnan region.
The dam reflects China's push toward renewable energy and shows how modern infrastructure shapes the Lixian River region. Visitors can observe how the structure fits into the landscape and serves the local communities that depend on its power generation.
The structure rises about 116 meters high and is accessible by car via regional roads. Visit during the rainy season when water levels are higher and the surrounding landscape looks more green.
The dam creates a reservoir holding approximately 197 million cubic meters of water at an elevation of 756 meters. This storage allows the facility to maintain power output during dry seasons when river flow decreases.
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