Mingachevir reservoir

Mingachevir Reservoir

Mingachevir Reservoir from space
Location Mingachevir
Coordinates 40°47′20″N 47°01′40″E / 40.78889°N 47.02778°ECoordinates: 40°47′20″N 47°01′40″E / 40.78889°N 47.02778°E
Type reservoir
Primary inflows Kura River
Primary outflows Kura River
Basin countries Azerbaijan
Built 1953
Max. length 70 km (43 mi)
Max. width 18 km (11 mi)
Surface area 605 km2 (234 sq mi)
Average depth 26 m (85 ft)
Max. depth 75 m (246 ft)
Water volume 15.730 km3 (12,753,000 acre·ft)
Shore length1 247 km (153 mi)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The Mingachevir reservoir (Azerbaijani: Mingəçevir su anbarı) is a large reservoir in northwestern Azerbaijan. It is the largest reservoir in the Caucasus.[1]

Overview

The reservoir was built on a section of Kura River flowing through Mount Bozdağ in 1953.[2] The filling capacity of the reservoir is 83 m (272 ft) whereas the volume is 15.73 km³. It has been filled to its maximum levels in 1959, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988 and 2010.[3] The length is 70 km (43 mi) and width is 18 km (11 mi). Maximum depth is 75 m (246 ft), average depth - 26 m (85 ft). The length along the shoreline is 247 km (153 mi), the overall area is 605 km2 (234 sq mi).[4][5] The largest hydroelectric power station of Azerbaijan is located on the reservoir. Mingachevir Hydro Power Plant has an installed electric capacity of 401.6 megawatts.[6] The length of the hydroelectric dam is 1,550 m (5,090 ft), its width is 16 m (52 ft) and height is 80 m (260 ft).[4]

The reservoir supplies water to Upper Karabakh and Upper Shirvan channels. It is also a source for fishing, water supplies and irrigation.

See also

References