In 2006, the Three Gorges Project enjoyed steady progress with the fulfillment of major objectives according to schedule. The project has shifted from coffering and power generating period to the initial operation stage. The 2,309 m long dam of the Three Gorges reservoir reached its designed top on May 20, reaching 185 m designed height 10 months ahead of the schedule. On June 6, the over-110 m elevation part of the RCC coffer upstream the dam on the right bank was successfully dismantled and the Dam began the full impoundment. On October 27, the objective of 156 m impoundment was achieved, one year ahead of the schedule with flood control capacity of 11 billion m³. After the flood season, the bottom diversion holes were sealed with the beginning of the project to finish the construction of ship lock. The earth construction work of the plant on the right bank was basically finished, which provided good conditions for the completion of the installation of 12 power generating sets at the right bank in 2007 and 2008.

In 2006, a total of 630,200 m³ of concrete were poured in the main project of the construction of the Three Gorges Dam and 22,600 tons of machinery and electric components were buried and installed on site. A total of 5974 unit projects had been reviewed (January-November) in the construction and installation projects with 100% qualification rate and 94.0% of good projects. After the impoundment, the overall capacity of the 14 power generating sets in the left bank of the Three Gorges Power Plant was 700 MW with maximum of 980 MW. The total powered generated in 2006 was 49.249 billion kW*h. The accumulated power generation of the terraced hydropower stations from the Three Gorges Dam to Gezhouba Dam in 2006 reached 63.879 billion kW*h. During the final construction period, the ship lock shifted from two-way operation into one-way operation with increased navigation pressure. However, with enhancement of management and scientific dispatching, the navigation hub operation management department had raised the efficiency of ship lock and vigorously contributed to the development of national economy.

In 2006, with "accurate forecasting and careful dispatching", the Three Gorges Project ensured the power and navigation safety and realized 156 m impoundment under the special water condition of the heavy drought one in 100 years of the Yangtze River. The comprehensive benefits of the Project in terms of flood control, power and navigation have taken place in an all round way.