Atatürk Dam
Southeastern Anatolia Region
The Atatürk Dam, situated on the Euphrates River in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, is the third largest dam worldwide and a key component of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). Constructed between 1983 and 1990, it was renamed to honor Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. The dam is a massive zoned rock-fill structure with a central core, standing 169 meters high and stretching 1,820 meters long. It creates the Atatürk Reservoir, Turkey's third largest, which supports extensive irrigation and regional development. The hydroelectric power plant, operational since 1992, has an installed capacity of 2,400 MW and generates approximately 8,900 GWh annually, accounting for about one-third of GAP's total energy production. The dam's construction was completed in a record 50 months, making it one of the world's largest construction sites at the time. It plays a vital role in electricity generation and irrigation, transforming the agricultural landscape of Southeastern Anatolia. The dam also symbolizes Turkey's engineering prowess and regional development ambitions.
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Tip: Visitors interested in viewing the Atatürk Dam should plan their visit during spring or autumn for mild weather. Advance arrangements may be required for guided tours or access to restricted areas. While there are no public ticket sales, checking with local tourism offices for visitor information and possible group tours is advisable. Photography is popular, but visitors should respect any security regulations. The dam is accessible via state road D-875, and exploring nearby towns like Bozova can enrich the visit.
Zajímavosti
- •Atatürk Dam is the third largest dam in the world by volume and one of the largest rock-fill dams globally.
- •It generates around 8,900 GWh of electricity annually, supplying about one-third of the GAP project's total power capacity.
- •The dam's crest has settled by approximately 7 meters since construction, monitored through advanced sensor systems.
- •Atatürk Dam was featured on Turkish banknotes, including the one-million-lira note (1995–2005) and the 1 new lira note (2005–2009).
Historie
The Atatürk Dam project began in 1983 as part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), aiming to boost regional development through irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Initially called the Karababa Dam, its design was modified to increase storage and power capacity, leading to its renaming in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Construction was completed in 1990, with the hydroelectric plant becoming operational by 1992.
The dam's construction was notable for its rapid completion in approximately 50 months, marking it as one of the largest construction projects worldwide at the time.
Since completion, the dam has undergone continuous monitoring and maintenance to manage structural deformations and ensure operational safety.
Průvodce po místě
Dam Embankment1983-1990
The massive rock-fill embankment stands 169 meters high and spans 1,820 meters. It is the main structural feature of the dam, designed with a central impermeable core to hold back the Euphrates River waters.
Hydroelectric Power Plant1992-1993
The power plant consists of eight Francis turbine-generator units, each with a capacity of 300 MW, supplied by Sulzer Escher Wyss and ABB. It became fully operational in 1993 and produces substantial renewable energy for the region.
Atatürk Reservoir1990
The reservoir created by the dam is the third largest in Turkey, providing critical water storage for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. It transformed the agricultural potential of Southeastern Anatolia.