I found this flag on Truesize.net for China, specifically the PRC for both the 1940s and the 1960s and for some reason it has a yellow bottom and red top. I dont know if this is just a speculative design or it it has any merrit, any help is needed
The Mpouya Congo Dam, completed in 1992 near Mpouya, is one of the principal hydraulic works of the Republic of the Greater Congo (RoGC) and a cornerstone of the continental energy system built upon the Congo River. Conceived during the late developmental period of the 1970s and executed over the following decade, the project was designed not as a single-purpose installation, but as a multi-functional hydrological and energy platform, combining power generation, flow regulation, inland navigation improvement, and long-term water security.
Structurally, the dam is a roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam, extending approximately 4.8 kilometers across the river. Its height, modest by global standards at roughly 27 meters, is offset by its exceptional breadth and mass. The dam’s base, exceeding 50 meters in thickness in its central sections, anchors the structure firmly into prepared bedrock, allowing it to resist the immense and continuous discharge of the Congo through sheer weight rather than geometric height. The superstructure is divided into numerous monolithic segments, each constructed in horizontal lifts and separated by engineered joints that accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining overall integrity. Internally, a network of galleries provides access for inspection, drainage, and instrumentation, enabling continuous monitoring of pressure, seepage, and structural performance.
The upstream face of the dam is gently inclined and treated with dense, erosion-resistant concrete, while the downstream face incorporates stepped spillway sections and energy dissipation features. Multiple gated spillways are distributed along the crest, allowing controlled release of excess water during peak flow periods. These spillways are deliberately redundant, ensuring that localized damage or maintenance operations do not compromise the dam’s overall flood-handling capacity.
Embedded at the base of the structure is the main powerhouse complex, housing a series of large Kaplan turbines specifically selected for the river’s low-head, high-flow characteristics. The installation comprises several dozen generating units arranged in parallel bays, each fed by independent intake structures and penstocks. This modular arrangement allows individual units to be isolated without interrupting the operation of the remaining system. At full capacity, the dam produces approximately 12 gigawatts under peak flow conditions, with an average sustained output closer to 9 gigawatts. This output forms a substantial portion of the RoGC’s domestic supply and contributes significantly to exports through the Greater African Electric Grid.
Behind the dam lies the Lake Congo Reservoir, an expansive artificial water body that has become a defining geographic feature of the central basin. Unlike deep, narrow reservoirs formed in mountainous regions, Lake Congo is characterized by its breadth and relatively shallow depth. It spreads laterally across low-lying terrain, inundating former river channels, floodplains, and sections of equatorial forest. With a storage capacity on the order of 60 to 70 cubic kilometers, the reservoir functions primarily as a flow-regulation system rather than a long-term storage basin.
The hydrological behavior of Lake Congo reflects the unique stability of the Congo River itself. Seasonal variations in inflow are moderated by the reservoir, reducing downstream flood peaks and ensuring consistent discharge throughout the year. This stability is critical for downstream installations, particularly the major hydroelectric complexes near the river’s lower reaches, including Inga Dam, which depend on predictable flow conditions to operate at maximum efficiency.
Ecologically, the creation of the reservoir transformed the surrounding landscape. Extensive areas of forest and wetland were submerged, giving rise to a complex mosaic of open water, partially flooded vegetation, and newly formed shoreline habitats. Over time, these environments have developed into productive aquatic ecosystems, supporting fisheries that now play an important role in regional livelihoods. At the same time, the reservoir necessitated the relocation of several riverside communities, leading to the establishment of new settlements along its more stable margins.
From an economic and infrastructural perspective, the Mpouya Congo Dam and Lake Congo Reservoir are integral to the broader development strategy of the RoGC. The reservoir facilitates inland water transport by smoothing previously variable river conditions, while the dam’s electrical output underpins industrial activity both domestically and across connected regions. Transmission infrastructure radiates outward from the site, linking it to major consumption centers and integrating it into the continental grid.
In operational terms, the dam is managed as part of a coordinated river system. Release schedules are carefully calibrated to balance upstream storage, downstream demand, and seasonal hydrological conditions. Continuous monitoring and periodic upgrades, particularly to mechanical and electrical systems have ensured that the installation remains efficient and reliable decades after its commissioning.
Today, the Mpouya Congo Dam is regarded not merely as an engineering structure, but as a permanent feature of the Congo Basin’s physical and economic landscape. Its presence has reshaped patterns of settlement, enabled large-scale electrification, and established the RoGC as a central actor in the African energy network.
The creation of the Mpouya Reservoir is a massive two-stage engineering saga. Here is the breakdown of how that process looks for your lore, from the first shovel in the dirt to the final water level.
Phase 1: The Decade of Diversion
Before the dam can even be built, the Congo River—the second-most powerful river on Earth—must be "moved." For 10 years, the entire flow of the river is rerouted through a network of massive concrete bypass tunnels and artificial canals. This keeps the main riverbed dry, allowing engineers to anchor the dam's foundation into the bedrock without being swept away by the current.
Phase 2: The Staged Filling
Once construction is finished, the bypass tunnels are partially sealed. Instead of stopping the river entirely (which would be an ecological disaster), the engineers allow 80% of the river to flow through the dam's spillways, while "trapping" the remaining 20% to begin filling the reservoir.
Because the Congo Basin is exceptionally flat, the filling process follows a "staircase" schedule to ensure the dam wall can handle the increasing weight of the water.
The 5-Meter Increments: The water is raised in five distinct 5-meter stages.
There are safety pauses after every 5-meter rise, the "tap" is effectively closed for 3 months. During this time, engineers monitor the dam for cracks, shifts, or leaks, and let the surrounding land stabilize under the new weight of the lake.
The Widening Lake: Because the land is so flat, the "higher" the water gets, the more land it covers. This means each 5-meter step takes significantly longer than the one before it:
Step 1 (0–5m): Takes only 6 days to fill.
Step 2 (5–10m): Takes 17 days.
Step 3 (10–15m): Takes 29 days.
Step 4 (15–20m): Takes 41 days.
Step 5 (20–25m): Takes 52 days.
The Final Timeline
When you combine the active filling days with the mandatory three-month safety breaks, the timeline looks like this:
Total Active Filling Time: ~5 months
Total Waiting/Observation Time:12 months
The total Process from the moment the gates first close to the moment the reservoir hits the 25-meter mark, it takes approximately 17 months (1.4 years).
By the end of this process, what was once a river winding through a valley has become a massive inland sea, all while the downstream cities of Brazzaville and Kinshasa continued to receive enough water to keep their own ecosystems alive.
At a population of 1,705,500,000 people and a GDP of 35.4 Trillion dollars, it is the most populous nation on earth, as well as having the 2nd highest GDP only wnd to the United States of America.
Sharing the longest continuous land border in the world with the Russian Imperial Federation, and the 2nd longest with the Federation of Bharat, it borders 2 peer rivals. Only time will tell if this China and their allies shall be a peer or dominant rival to the United States and her allies
Map made by u/Sp4g00ti for this alternate history timeline