Environmental sanitation workers from Chongqing Municipality have collected 78,000 tons of garbage from the Yangtze River near the Three Gorges Dam, ensuring the dam will operate safely and effectively after its water level was raised.

More than 68,000 workers in nearly 21,000 boats retrieved the garbage. In late October, the dam's water level was lifted to 175 meters, its designed maximum, thus allowing it to achieve its full flood control, power generation, navigation and water supply roles, said Wang Yuankai, a Chongqing municipal work administrator.

Raising the water level increased the surface area of water in the dam. It also increased the workload of garbage collectors as about 60 percent more garbage appeared.

The cleanup helped ensure water quality and that vessels could navigate the river easily.

The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest water-control and hydropower project.

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2010)