Turkwel Dam

Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station
Location of Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station in Kenya
Country	Kenya
Location	Kapenguria, West Pokot County
Coordinates	1°53′53.47″N 35°20′1.34″E / 1.8981861°N 35.3337056°E / 1.8981861; 35.3337056Coordinates: 1°53′53.47″N 35°20′1.34″E / 1.8981861°N 35.3337056°E / 1.8981861; 35.3337056
Purpose	Power, irrigation, fisheries
Status	Operational
Construction began	1986
Opening date	1991; 26 years ago (1991)
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Arch
Impounds	Turkwel River
Height	153 m (502 ft)
Length	150 m (490 ft)
Dam volume	170,000 m3 (220,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
Creates	Turkwel Gorge Reservoir
Total capacity	1,641,000,000 m3 (1,330,000 acre·ft)
Power station
Name	Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station
Coordinates	1°55′16.85″N 35°21′31.79″E / 1.9213472°N 35.3588306°E / 1.9213472; 35.3588306
Operator(s)	Kenya Electricity Generating Company
Commission date	1991
Type	Conventional
Hydraulic head	356 m (1,168 ft)
Turbines	2 x 56 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	106 MW (142,000 hp)

The Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Station, also Turkwel Dam, is an arch dam on the Turkwel River about 76 km (47 mi) north of Kapenguria in West Pokot County, Kenya. The dam serves several purposes to include hydroelectric power production, irrigation tourism and fisheries. It was constructed between 1986 and 1991. It supports the third largest hydroelectric power plant in the country, having an installed electric capacity of 106 megawatts (142,000 hp).

The dam, Kenya's tallest, has a height of 153 metres (502 ft), crest length of 150 m, dam volume of 170,000 cubic metres (6,000,000 cu ft) and retains a water volume of 1,641 million cubic metres (1,330,000 acre·ft). The power station is located underground downstream and contains two 56 MW Francis turbine-generators. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station afford a net hydraulic head of 356 m (1,168 ft).