Amir Kabir Dam

Amir Kabir dam (Persian: سد امیرکبیر), also known as Karaj dam (سد کرج), is a dam on the Karaj River in the Central Alborz mountain range of northern Iran.

Amir Kabir Dam
The upstream view of Amir Kabir Dam
Amir Kabir Dam is located in Iran
Amir Kabir Dam
Location of Amir Kabir Dam in Iran
Countryiran
Coordinates35°57′23″N 51°5′26″E
PurposeFlood control,Irrigation, Water supply,Power
StatusOperational
Construction began1957
Opening date1961
Owner(s)Regional Water Company of Tehran
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsKaraj River
Height180 m (591 ft)
Length390 m (1,280 ft)
Width (crest)30 m (98 ft)
Dam volume205 MCM
Reservoir
CreatesAmir Kabir Lake
Total capacity202,000,000 m3 (163,764 acre⋅ft)
Power Station
Installed capacity90 MW
Website
https://thrw.ir/st/61

It is located 63 kilometres (39 mi) northwest of Tehran and 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of Karaj. The Dam was constructed on the Karaj River, and was the first multi-purpose dam in Iran.[1]

Construction

The initial studies for Amir Kabir Dam took 22 years until 1956 when formal proceedings began and the dam was constructed in the period from 1957 to 1961 by Morrison-Knudsen Co.[2][3] From 1950 Khalil Taleghani took part in the construction process.[4]

Varian village was originally located on the bed of the Amir Kabir Dam and beside the Karaj River. Following the dam's construction, the village was relocated to higher grounds. This made the village only accessible by waterway.

Specifications

The ecliptic concrete structure is 180 metres (590 ft) high, with 30 metres (98 ft) length on bottom and 390 metres (1,280 ft) on top and its watershed is 764 kilometres (475 mi) long.[5] The average annual water inflow to its reservoir is 472 million cubic meters. The total capacity of the dam's reservoir is 202 million cubic meters. The bottom elevation of reservoir and normal water surface elevation of reservoir are 1,545 metres (5,069 ft) and 1,610 metres (5,280 ft) respectively.

Purpose

The Amir kabir Dam was built as a multi-purpose dam to provide tap water for Tehran alongside agricultural development in Karaj. It supplies the irrigation demand of over 50,000 hectares (120,000 acres) of farm land near Karaj. The power plant has been connected to the national electricity network for over 46 years and has a capacity of 90 megawatts. The lake behind the dam is a touristic attraction while being a natural habitat for rainbow trout. With its sailing and water-skiing facilities, the dam is a popular weekend summer resort.

See also

References
  1. City of Karaj information network
  2. Amirkabir Dam Inaugurated
  3. "History of Morrison Knudsen Corporation – FundingUniverse".
  4. "مرد توسعه کشاورزی و سدسازی/ نگاهی به زندگی خلیل طالقانی، وزیر کشاورزی ایران در دهه 30" (in Persian). Iranian Agriculture News Agency. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  5. Amirkabir Dam Inaugurated
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