Media can reassure public of dam's capabilities

HOW GOOD IS THE FLOOD CONTROL CAPACITY of the Three Georges Dam? Media reports vary and many people are confused about which to believe. Beijing News looks to set people's minds at ease:

If you read all the reports about the Three Georges Dam over the past years, you will probably end up confused. In 2003, a report said it could cope with water levels that happened once every 10,000 years; in 2007, the standard became once every 1,000 years; in 2008, it became 100 years and in 2010 there was no longer any data. They simply said "do not put all your hope on the Three Georges Dam".

These conflicting reports have already damaged the public's faith that the dam will prevent floods, especially as experts predict heavy rains might happen this year downstream of the Three Georges.