国内英语新闻:Three Gorges Dam attempts third try for 175-meter water level mark

YICHANG, Hubei, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The water level at the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest water control project, reached 164.59 meters on Sunday, only 10 meters short of its full capacity of 175-meters, said a project official.

The dam in central China started to hold back water this September by discharging less to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the country's longest river.

Reaching the 175-meter water level would enable the Three Gorges Dam to fulfill its functions of flood control and generating electricity to the fullest extent, symbolizing the total success of the massive water project.

This is the reservoir's third attempt to reach full capacity since 2008. However, water levels stopped at 172.8 meters in 2008 and 171.43 meters in 2009 due to droughts on the lower reaches.

However, this time officials believe the dam will reach full capacity by the end of October.

"We have confidence in reaching the goal this year. Although less water flowed into the dam after the flood season, we have reduced water discharges accordingly," said Yuan Jie, an official in charge of water level control.