The First Dam of the Yellow River: Longyangxia Dam and the Plateau Sapphire

The Head of the Dragon

Located at the border of Gonghe County and Guinan County in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, Longyangxia Dam holds the prestigious title of the "First Dam on the Yellow River" (Wanli Huanghe Diyiba). As the leading power station in the cascade development of the upper Yellow River, it sits at the entrance of the rugged Longyang Canyon. The name "Longyang" comes from the Tibetan language, meaning "Steep Valley," a fitting description for the sheer cliffs and rugged terrain that characterize this region. Construction of this monumental project began in 1976 and was fully completed in 1989, marking a significant milestone in China's hydroelectric history,.

High Gorge Rising from Flat Lake

The dam itself is a concrete gravity arch dam, standing an impressive 178 meters high and spanning 1,226 meters across the canyon. It intercepts the turbulent Yellow River, creating the massive Longyangxia Reservoir, which has a capacity of 24.7 billion cubic meters. This immense body of water transforms the once roaring river into a tranquil, vast inland sea, creating a magnificent landscape known as "High Gorge Rising from Flat Lake." The contrast between the colossal concrete structure and the wild, primitive canyon walls showcases the powerful intersection of human engineering and natural grandeur,.

The Plateau Sapphire

1.One of the most astonishing features of: Longyangxia is the color of its water. Unlike the sediment-laden, yellow water typically associated with the Yellow River, the water in the Longyangxia Reservoir is often a deep, crystal-clear blue or emerald green. This is because the massive reservoir allows the river's sediment to settle, resulting in clean, clear water flowing downstream towards Guide. Under the high-altitude sun, the reservoir sparkles like a giant "Plateau Sapphire" embedded in the dry, yellow-brown mountains. This unique ecological effect makes it a prime location for photography and a stark departure from the traditional image of the Yellow River,.

A Hub of Energy and Ecology

Beyond its scenic beauty, Longyangxia Dam serves critical functions in power generation, flood control, irrigation, and aquaculture. The reservoir's vast, clean waters are home to a thriving cold-water fish farming industry, particularly for salmon and trout, earning the area a reputation for its high-quality aquatic products. Visitors standing on the observation deck can gaze out over the vast expanse of the reservoir on one side and the deep, rugged canyon on the other, witnessing the dynamic transformation of the Yellow River from a wild natural force into a tamed resource that nourishes the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,.