WUHAN -- Inflow from the upper streams of the Yangtze River has hit an eight-year high, forcing the Three Gorges Dam to discharge more water and brace for floods.

Inflow from the upper streams has been growing since April 16 and shows no sign of relenting, according to a statement from the Three Gorges Corporation.

The dam started to increase discharging water downstream late on Friday, it said.

The water level currently stands at 163.5 meters. The Three Gorges Corporation aims to bring it to 145 meters, a safe level to cope with floods.

Flood season has arrived early around the Yangtze this year, due to ample rainfall in the tributaries of the river.

The Three Gorges project in Hubei Province is a multi-functional water control system consisting of a dam stretching 2,308 meters long and 185 meters high, a five-tier ship lock and 26 hydropower turbo-generators.