China's AI-Assisted Dashixia Dam Begins Water Storage in Xinjiang

Historic Milestone Achieved in Xinjiang

The Dashixia Water Control Project, a monumental infrastructure endeavor in China's far western Xinjiang region, has officially begun storing water. Located in the middle and lower reaches of the Kumarak River in Xinjiang's Aksu prefecture, the project initiated water storage on Saturday, September 20, 2025. This marks a significant step for the dam, which stands as the world's tallest concrete-faced rockfill dam, reaching a height of 247 meters, equivalent to an 80-story building.

Advanced AI and Digital Technologies Drive Construction

The construction of the Dashixia dam leveraged cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin, and blockchain. This integrated approach enabled intelligent, '3D-printing-like' construction, helping to overcome complex seismic and geological challenges inherent to the region. The project is notable as the world's first dam of its kind to be completed using full-scale intelligent technology and construction, incorporating the operation of unmanned equipment. The application of AI and robots for GPS positioning and coordinated operations of autonomous roller fleets played a crucial role, contributing to the dam's capping eight months ahead of its original schedule in December 2024.

Multifaceted Benefits for the Region

Upon its full completion and operation, anticipated for next year, the Dashixia Water Control Project is designed to serve multiple critical functions:

• Flood Control: It will significantly enhance flood control measures, reducing the occurrence of severe flood events and improving the flood-control level in the Aksu River Basin from a once-in-a-decade occurrence to a once-in-50-years standard.
• Irrigation: The dam will create a reservoir with a capacity of approximately 1.17 billion cubic meters, providing a stable water source for over 533,000 hectares of farmland across the Aksu River Basin and Tarim River Basin. This will alleviate spring droughts and optimize water resource allocation.
• Power Generation: With a total installed capacity of 750,000 kilowatts, the project is projected to generate around 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually. This output is sufficient to power approximately 650,000 households.
• Ecological Management: The project is expected to provide an ecological water supply to the Tarim River, aiding in the revitalization of its ecosystems and transforming the region into a more sustainable environment.

A National Strategic Project

The Dashixia Water Control Project, designed by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation, is one of 172 key national water-saving and supply projects approved by the State Council. With an investment of nearly 9 billion yuan, its successful implementation underscores China's commitment to advanced engineering and sustainable development in its western regions. The project's innovative use of AI and digital technologies sets a new global standard for large-scale infrastructure development.