Chulabhorn Dam
| Chulabhorn Dam | |
|---|---|
 Location of Chulabhorn Dam in Thailand
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| Official name | Chulabhorn Dam |
| Location | Chaiyaphum province, Thailand |
| Coordinates | 16°32′10.56″N 101°39′0.13″E / 16.5362667°N 101.6500361°ECoordinates: 16°32′10.56″N 101°39′0.13″E / 16.5362667°N 101.6500361°E |
| Construction began | 1970 |
| Opening date | 1972 |
| Owner(s) | Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth core rockfill dam |
| Impounds | Nam Phrom River |
| Height | 70 m (230 ft) |
| Length | 700 m (2,300 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Chulabhorn Dam Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 165,000,000 m3 (5.8×109 cu ft) |
| Catchment area | 545 km2 (210 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Power station | |
| Operator(s) | Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) |
| Installed capacity | 40 MW |
| Annual generation | 59 GWh |
Chulabhorn Dam (เขื่อนจุฬาภรณ์) is a dam in Tambon Thung Lui Lai, Amphoe Khon San, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand. It impounds the Phrom River, a tributary of the Mekong. The dam has diverted the Nam Phrong River. As water leaves its turbines, it empties into the Choen River. The dam is named after Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, of Thailand.
Typical of Thai dams, the Chulabhorn Dam is an earth core rockfill dam. Its function is to generate electricity and to irrigate riparian agriculture. The dam is 700 m (2,300 ft) long and 70 m (230 ft) high. Its reservoir covers 31 km2 (12 sq mi).
The power house is at the dam and contains two turbines, each with a capacity of 20,000 KW. Total annual energy production is 59 Gwh.
Like the Pak Mun Dam downstream, the Chulabhorn has not been without its share of controversies. These have principally been over the way in which water is allocated for irrigation vis-à-vis power generation; and over the diversion of water from the Nam Phong to the Choen River, depriving downstream communities along the Choen.
Downstream of the Chulabhorn Dam, along the Choen River, lie three districts: Kaset Sombun, Ban Thaen and Phu Khieo. The reduced flows of the Choen has caused villagers to come together and try to persuade EGAT to increase the amount of water. This protest started in 1973, and has earned these villagers the title of the "water beggars of the Northeast".
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