World's Tallest Sand-Gravel Dam Begins Power Generation in Xinjiang

Developed by China Energy Engineering Group, the facility achieved a major milestone on September 29 when its first two generator units commenced operations. Beyond its power capacity, the dam serves critical regional needs: it will deliver 3.42 billion cubic meters of ecological water annually and expand irrigation to over 453,333 hectares of farmland. Flood control standards for the downstream area are set to improve significantly, shifting from a once-in-10-year protection level to a once-in-50-year capacity.

The project’s human dimension is explored in a new documentary series, The Youth Pioneers of Dashixia Project, which highlights the contributions of workers from the post-90s and post-00s generations. Since 2019, these teams have operated in a remote canyon, navigating force-14 gales and extreme temperature swings. Engineer Bai Lin, featured in the series, spent eight years on-site, ultimately mastering the complex technical demands of concrete pouring on a 360-meter slope.