The three Gorges Reservoir is the largestwater conservancy and control projectin China. After the three Gorges Projectis completed

a 30 m high water-level-fluctuating zone (WLFZ) will appear along the two banks and the area of the WLFZ reaches about300 km2. By using GIS and RS techniques

land resources in the WLFZ are analyzed and classified in view of climate conditions

water depth in the WLFZ

slope

and soil textures of the land. The WLFZ is classified into six land models: rock exposed regions model

softrock exposed regions model

moderate and gentle model

reservoir backwater area model

unique landscapes model

and island model. The classification of the WLFZ of the three Gorges Reservoir provides a theoretic basis and scientific methods of rational development.