El Cadillal Dam
Tucumán
El Cadillal Dam, officially named Dique Celestino Gelsi, is a major embankment dam located about 21 km upstream from San Miguel de Tucumán on the Salí River in Tucumán Province, Argentina. Constructed between 1962 and 1965, the dam features a curved main structure with a clay core and rock facing, spanning 72 meters in crest width with additional lateral dams extending 385 meters. It includes a unique funnel-shaped spillway without gates and a 377-meter-long discharge tunnel. The dam supports a hydroelectric power plant with two vertical Deriaz turbines, producing an average of 52 GWh annually from a 53.8-meter hydraulic head. Besides power generation, the dam supplies approximately 56% of San Miguel de Tucumán's potable water via a treatment plant. The reservoir created by the dam covers 1,283 hectares, making it the largest water body entirely within Tucumán Province. The area surrounding the reservoir has developed into a popular recreational zone featuring water sports, a tourist village with amenities, an archaeological museum, and a replica Greek amphitheater. Visitors can enjoy scenic views from a nearby chairlift and explore nearby jungle trails and historic sites such as the El Saladillo Viaduct. The dam's reservoir also supports regulated fishing, particularly for pejerrey fish, protected by conservation measures. The dam's water use is governed by an agreement between Tucumán and neighboring Santiago del Estero provinces to regulate the Salí River's flow. Sedimentation from upstream agriculture has reduced reservoir capacity over time, but ongoing efforts aim to preserve its utility and enhance tourism infrastructure.
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Tip: The best time to visit El Cadillal Dam is during the warmer months when water sports and outdoor activities are most enjoyable. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets for tourist services, such as the chairlift and catamaran rides, in advance during peak seasons. Discounts may be available for groups or off-season visits. The tourist village offers bike rentals for scenic tours around the reservoir. Fishing is allowed under regulated seasons to protect local species, so check local regulations before planning fishing activities.
Interesting facts
- •El Cadillal Dam's reservoir is the largest water surface entirely within Tucumán Province, covering 1,283 hectares.
- •The hydroelectric plant uses two Deriaz turbines with a combined installed capacity of 13 MW.
- •The dam's spillway is a unique funnel-shaped structure without gates, discharging water through a 377-meter tunnel.
- •The dam provides about 56% of the potable water for San Miguel de Tucumán city.
- •The nearby tourist village features a replica of a Greek amphitheater and an archaeological museum.
- •The El Saladillo Viaduct near the dam was built in 1881 with five million bricks and was used by trains until 1927.
History
Initial studies for the dam began in 1889, but construction did not start until 1962 after relocating the project site.
The dam was completed in 1965.
It was privatized in 1996, with Hidroeléctrica Tucumán S.A.
taking over operations.
The dam was built to provide hydroelectric power, potable water, and irrigation support to the region.
Over time, sedimentation from upstream agricultural erosion has reduced the reservoir's capacity significantly, prompting management efforts to maintain its functions.
The dam plays a vital role in Tucumán's energy and water supply and supports local agriculture through regulated water use agreements with neighboring provinces.
Place Guide
Main Dam Structure1962-1965
The curved embankment dam with a clay core and rock facing, including the 72-meter-wide crest and three lateral dams extending 385 meters, forms the main water barrier and hydroelectric facility.
Hydroelectric Power Plant1965
Located on the right bank of the Salí River, the plant contains two vertical-axis Deriaz turbines generating an average of 52 GWh annually from a 53.8-meter hydraulic head.
Reservoir and Recreational Area
The reservoir spans 1,283 hectares, making it the largest in Tucumán Province, and serves as a popular recreational area with water sports, fishing, and a tourist village offering amenities and cultural sites.
El Saladillo Viaduct1881
A historic brick railway viaduct built in 1881 with five million bricks, used until 1927, now a notable nearby landmark accessible from the dam area.