| Rapel Dam | |
|---|---|
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| Official name | Presa Rapel |
| Country | Chile |
| Location | La Estrella |
| Coordinates | |
| Opening date | 1968 |
| Owner(s) | Endesa |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Arch, variable radius |
| Height | 112 m (367 ft) |
| Length | 350 m (1,148 ft) |
| Crest width | 5.5 m (18 ft) |
| Base width | 19 m (62 ft)[1] |
| Impounds | Rapel River |
| Spillway capacity | 10,000 m3/s (353,147 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Rapel |
| Capacity | 700,000,000 m3 (567,499 acre·ft) |
| Active capacity | 530,000,000 m3 (429,678 acre·ft) |
| Power station | |
| Commission date | 1968 |
| Hydraulic head | 76 m (249 ft) (net)[2] |
| Turbines | 5 x 75.4 MW Francis-type |
| Installed capacity | 377 MW |
The Rapel Dam is an arch dam on the Rapel River about 19 km (12 mi) north of La Estrella in the O'Higgins Region, Chile. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 377 MW power station. The dam was completed in 1968 and is owned by Endesa. It creates the largest reservoir in Chile with a capacity of 700,000,000 m3 (567,499 acre·ft).[3] The dam withstood the 7.5 Mw 1985 Pichilemu earthquake with only minor damage. It was centered 45 km (28 mi) from the dam.[1]
The Rapel Dam is a 112 m (367 ft) tall and 350 m (1,148 ft) long variable-radius arch-type. It is 5.5 m (18 ft) wide at its crest and 19 m (62 ft) wide at its base. The dam's spillway is controlled by five tainter gates and has a discharge capacity of 10,000 m3/s (353,147 cu ft/s). The dam's reservoir, Lake Rapel has a 700,000,000 m3 (567,499 acre·ft) capacity of which 530,000,000 m3 (429,678 acre·ft) is active (or "useful") capacity. The power station, located at the dam's base, contains five 75.4 MW Francis turbine-generators and is afforded 76 m (249 ft) of net hydraulic head.[1][2]