| Black River | |
|---|---|
| Basin countries | Vietnam China |
The Black River (also known as the Da River, sông Đà in Vietnamese and Lixian River in China[1]) is a river located in China and northwestern Vietnam. Its source is in Yunnan Province of China. It runs through the provinces Lai Châu (where it forms part of the border with Điện Biên Province), Sơn La and Hòa Bình. It is the most important tributary of the Red River, which it joins in Tam Nong District near Việt Trì in Phú Thọ Province. It also forms part of the border between Phú Thọ Province and Hanoi (previously the border with Hà Tây Province). The rivers total length is 910 km, around 427 km in China and 527 km in Vietnam.
The Black River has substantial hydroelectric potential. In China, seven dams are planned of which six (Yayangshan, Shimenkan, Longma, Jufudu, Gelantan and Tukahe) are complete. The Zinpingzhai Dam is expected to be complete by 2013.[2][3][4] The total installed capacity of the dam cascade is 1,311 MW.[5] There are two large hydroelectric plants in Vietnam on this river. Hòa Bình Dam was completed in 1994. Sơn La Dam is under construction since 2005 and will be the largest hydro-power plant in Southeast Asia. Construction of the Lai Châu Dam in Mường Tè District of Lai Châu Province started on 5 January 2011.[6][7]