The development processes of geomembrane barriers for seepage prevention in reservoirs and dams in China are reviewed, and the advantages of geomembranes are summarized, including good performance in seepage prevention, high adaptability to deformation, convenience in construction and quality control, and low cost. It is pointed out that, although geomembranes have been normally operating in some existing large- and medium-scale projects, they have been only widely used in medium- and small-scale projects in China. An comparative analysis of the development status of geomembrane barriers for seepage prevention in reservoirs and dams shows a large gap between the developments in geomembranes in China and abroad, which is attributed to the lack of an external environment for international communication, the lack of domestic motivation for research and development of techniques, and the lack of timely acceptance of professional specifications in China. It is suggested that, with the accumulation of construction experience and techniques, rapid spread of scientific and technical achievements, and in-depth understanding of related techniques, geomembrane barriers for seepage prevention in reservoirs and dams will have potential advantages and generate significant economic and social benefits.