Rising on the banks of the Kumarak River in Aksu, Xinjiang, the Dashixia Water Control Project is more than an engineering marvel – it's a lifeline for thousands of communities and farms in the arid south. At 247 meters tall, this concrete-faced sand-gravel dam, the tallest of its kind in the world, rivals the height of an 80-story skyscraper.
Once fully operational, Dashixia will deliver a stable water flow for irrigation, domestic use and industrial needs across southern Xinjiang. Seasonal water shortages will be a thing of the past as the project unlocks new potential for agriculture, spurring local economic growth and food security in one of the region's driest corridors.
Beyond water supply, Dashixia is designed as a multipurpose hub for flood control and resource management. Advanced monitoring systems will regulate river flows, reducing the risk of flash floods downstream. And thanks to its hydroelectric capabilities, the project will generate clean power – powering homes, businesses and the next wave of regional startups.
For global citizens tracking sustainable infrastructure, Dashixia offers lessons in combining scale, technology and resilience. It illustrates how targeted investment in water control can help communities adapt to climate variability, drive economic vitality and safeguard everyday needs.
As water begins to flow and turbines spin, southern Xinjiang's fields and cities are poised for transformation. In a landscape where every drop counts, Dashixia is setting a new standard for how large-scale dams can deliver real-world impact.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
