Kardzhali Reservoir

Kardzhali Dam
Official name Kardzhali Dam
Location Kardzhali / Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria
Coordinates 41°38′01″N 25°20′26″E / 41.63361°N 25.34056°ECoordinates: 41°38′01″N 25°20′26″E / 41.63361°N 25.34056°E
Purpose Power generation, flood control, water storage, recreation
Status Operational
Construction began 1957
Opening date 1963
Owner(s) Bulgarian Government
Operator(s) NEK EAD
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Arch-gravity dam
Impounds Arda River
Height 103.5 m (340 ft)
Length 402.89 m (1,321.8 ft)
Elevation at crest 331.45 m (1,087.4 ft)
Spillway type 4 Spill valves
4 Gates
Spillway capacity Valves: 3,100 m3/s (110,000 cu ft/s)
Gates: 880 m3/s (31,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates Kardzhali Reservoir
Total capacity 539,900,000 m3 (437,700 acre·ft)
Catchment area 1,882 km2 (727 sq mi)
Surface area 16.07 km2 (6.20 sq mi)
Normal elevation 324.3 m (1,064 ft)
Power station
Operator(s) NEK EAD
Hydraulic head 93 m (305 ft) maximum
Turbines 4
Installed capacity 106 MW
Annual generation 160 million kWh

The Kardzhali Reservoir, formed by the Kardzhali Dam is the situated less than 1 km to the west of the town of Kardzhali in Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria. It is the second largest reservoir by volume in the country.

The dam was constructed between 1957 and 1963 and was commissioned into service in the year of its completion. The reservoir has water catchment area of 1182 km² and maximum volume of 539.9 million m3. When it is filled to its maximum capacity the reservoir covers are of 16.07 km² and its surface has elevation of 324.3 meters above the sea level. The Hydroelectric Power Plant is situated at the foot of the dam.

The reservoir was recently seeded artificially with European perch. The fish was taken from the Ovcharitsa reservoir.

The first historical moment of the reservoir was in the 1970s, when it was artificially seeded with sheatfish. Nowadays there are 100 kg representatives. Later, 45,000 carp were introduced into the reservoir as well.

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