Yusufeli Dam
The Yusufeli Dam is an arch dam on the Çoruh River near Yusufeli in Artvin Province within the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The Yusufeli Dam will be the second largest dam within the larger Çoruh River Development Plan, which plans to build 13 dams, of which two are operational and another two are under construction. The dam's main purpose is hydroelectric power production and it will support a 540 MW power station. The dam is controversial because of its projected impact on the biodiversity within its reservoir area along with the relocation of the locals.
| Yusufeli Dam | |
|---|---|
Location of Yusufeli Dam in Turkey | |
| Official name | Yusufeli Barajı |
| Country | Turkey |
| Location | Yusufeli, Artvin Province |
| Coordinates | 40°49′02″N 41°38′43″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | February 26, 2013 |
| Opening date | 22 Nov 2022 |
| Construction cost | ₺487 million (approx. US$270 million) |
| Owner(s) | State Hydraulic Works |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Arch, double-curvature |
| Impounds | Çoruh River |
| Height | 270 m (886 ft) |
| Length | 490 m (1,608 ft) |
| Width (crest) | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Dam volume | 2,900,000 m3 (102,412,533 cu ft) |
| Spillway type | Service, controlled chute |
| Spillway capacity | 8,000 m3/s (282,517 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Yusufeli Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 2,130,000,000 m3 (1,726,819 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface area | 33.63 km2 (13 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Turbines | 3 x 180 MW Francis turbines |
| Installed capacity | 540 MW |
| Annual generation | 1,705 GWh (est.) |
On February 26, 2013, the foundation stone was laid in a ceremony attended by Minister of Forestry and Waterworks Veysel Eroğlu and Minister of Labor and Social Security Faruk Çelik. It is expected that the construction of the dam will cost ₺487 million (approx. US$270 million). The dam's opening date was initially set to May 29, 2018. As of 2018, the expected opening date was delayed to 2021. As of 2023, Yusufeli Dam is the highest dam in Turkey and the fifth tallest dam in the world.