This is what really happened. Stories of alcohol poisoning by brave souls who tried to stop the flood by drinking it just aren't true.
Just as an aside, check out this sat view. Compare to my picture. Shadows appear to be the same, and traffic looks exactly alike. Where did the crane go?
Even with modern materials and engineering simulations, things break. Would you live downstream from the Three Gorges Dam?
Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
