Florentino Ameghino Dam

The Florentino Ameghino Dam (Dique Florentino Ameghino) is a gravity dam in Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina, 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of the city of Trelew. The dam also protects the towns in the lower Chubut River valley from flooding.

Florentino Ameghino Dam
Location of Florentino Ameghino Dam in Argentina
Official name	Dique Florentino Ameghino
Country	Argentina
Location	Chubut Province
Coordinates	43°26′43.57″S 65°56′33.28″W
Status	Operational
Construction began	1943
Opening date	1963
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Chubut River
Height	113 m (371 ft)
Length	225 m (738 ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Florentino Ameghino Reservoir
Total capacity	65,000,000 m3 (53,000 acre⋅ft)
Power Station
Turbines	2 x 23,4 MW
Installed capacity	46.8 MW (62,800 hp)

The Florentino Ameghino is located on the Chubut River, which originates from snowmelt in the Andes. Work began on the dam in 1943, led by the engineer Antonio Pronsato; the dam was inaugurated in 1963. The dam has two Francis turbines of 23.4 megawatts (31,400 hp) each. The dam is currently operated by Hidroeléctrica Ameghino.

Adjacent to the dam is a town with approximately 200 residents called Villa Dique Florentino Ameghino. The dam takes its name from Florentino Ameghino, an Argentine naturalist, paleontologist, anthropologist and zoologist.