WUHAN, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Three Gorges reservoir diverted over 10 billion cubic meters of water to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, authorities said Thursday.

According to China Three Gorges Corporation, a total of 10.02 billion cubic meters of water was diverted to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the first quarter of this year.

The water diversion has effectively eased water shortage and served for water supply, ecology and shipping in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

The reservoir will continue to divert over 10 billion cubic meters of water to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the next two months.