Gura Apelor Dam

Gura Apelor Dam
Downstream face of the dam
Location of Gura Apelor Dam in Romania
Country	Romania
Location	Hațeg, Hunedoara County
Coordinates	45°20′21.03″N 22°43′18.00″E / 45.3391750°N 22.7216667°E / 45.3391750; 22.7216667Coordinates: 45°20′21.03″N 22°43′18.00″E / 45.3391750°N 22.7216667°E / 45.3391750; 22.7216667
Purpose	Power
Status	Complete, under repair
Construction began	1975
Opening date	1986; 31 years ago (1986)
Owner(s)	S.C. Hidroelectrica S.A.
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment, rock-fill
Impounds	Râul Mare River
Height	168 m (551 ft)
Length	464 m (1,522 ft)
Width (crest)	12 m (39 ft)
Width (base)	574 m (1,883 ft)
Dam volume	10,285,000 m3 (13,452,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
Total capacity	225,000,000 m3 (182,000 acre·ft)
Catchment area	235 km2 (91 sq mi)
Maximum water depth	162 m (531 ft)
Power station
Name	Râul Mare Hydroelectric Power Station
Coordinates	45°28′43.63″N 22°49′26.33″E / 45.4787861°N 22.8239806°E / 45.4787861; 22.8239806
Commission date	1986
Hydraulic head	582.5 m (1,911 ft)
Turbines	2 x 167.5 MW
Installed capacity	335 MW

The Gura Apelor Dam is a rock-fill dam on the Râul Mare River about 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Hațeg in Hunedoara County, Romania. It sits at the point where the Lapusnicu Mare, Lapusnicu Mic and Ses Rivers form the Râul Mare. It is the tallest dam in Romania. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports the 335 MW Râul Mare Hydroelectric Power Station which is located underground about 18 km (11 mi) to the northeast. Water from the reservoir is piped the long distance from the dam to the power station. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and the power station downstream affords a hydraulic head of 582.5 m (1,911 ft). Construction on the dam began in 1975 and the power station was operational in 1986. In 2012 the dam's reservoir was drained for repairs. It is expected to be impounded again in 2014.