三峡水利枢纽工程是治理开发长江的关键性工程，承担着防洪、发电、航运等综合利用任务。工程建成后可确保荆江地区防洪标准不低于百年一遇，大大缓解长江中下游防洪压力，为经济建设发展迅速的华中、华东、华南地区提供巨大的能源支持，从根本上改善川江航运条件，同时枯季补偿调节可提高长江中游河段航道水深和改善航运条件。新时期，长江治理、开发与保护对三峡工程运行提出了新要求，如何优化水资源利用，实施科学调度，全面提升水库综合效益，是三峡工程今后面临的一项长期任务。

Three Gorges Project (TGP) plays a key role in harnessing and developing the Yangtze River, undertaking the tasks of comprehensive utilization such as flood control, power generation and navigation. After the completion of the project, it can be ensured that the flood control standard of Jingjiang area will be not less than 100-year-frequency. As a result, the flood control pressure on the midlower reaches will be alleviated greatly,great energy support will be provided for the central, east and south China and the navigation conditions of Chuanjiang River will be improved fundamentally. Meanwhile, the navigation channel depth can be increased and the navigation conditions will be improved in the middle river reach through compensating regulation in dry season. In the new era, new requirements have been put forward to the operation of TGP for the harnessing, development and protection of the Yangtze River Basin. How to optimize the water resources utilization and implement a scientific operation to promote the comprehensive benefits of reservoir will be a longterm task of TGP.