Top 10 Dams in Turkey

Turkey is renowned for its extensive network of dams, which play a crucial role in the country’s water management, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control. Among the notable dams in Turkey, here are the top 10 in terms of height, reservoir capacity, or significance:

1. Atatürk Dam: Situated on the Euphrates River in the southeastern part of Turkey, Atatürk Dam is one of the largest dams in the country. Completed in 1990, it stands at a height of 169 meters (554 feet) and has a reservoir capacity of approximately 48 cubic kilometers (39 million acre-feet). The dam plays a vital role in irrigation projects in the region, as well as in generating hydroelectric power.

2. Keban Dam: Also located on the Euphrates River, Keban Dam is another significant hydroelectric dam in Turkey. Completed in 1975, it has a height of 185 meters (607 feet) and a reservoir capacity of around 30 cubic kilometers (24 million acre-feet). Like Atatürk Dam, Keban Dam contributes to both electricity generation and irrigation projects.

3. Kariba Dam: Situated on the Tigris River in the southeastern Anatolia region, Kariba Dam is crucial for Turkey’s irrigation and energy needs. Standing at a height of 181 meters (594 feet), it has a reservoir capacity of approximately 29 cubic kilometers (23 million acre-feet). Completed in 1975, the dam significantly contributes to the development of the surrounding areas.

4. Ilısu Dam: Located on the Tigris River in southeastern Turkey, Ilısu Dam is part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), one of the largest integrated development projects in the world. When completed, it will have a height of 135 meters (443 feet) and a reservoir capacity of about 10.4 cubic kilometers (8.4 million acre-feet). Ilısu Dam will provide irrigation water for agricultural purposes and generate hydroelectric power.

5. Seyhan Dam: Situated on the Seyhan River near the city of Adana in southern Turkey, Seyhan Dam plays a crucial role in water supply, irrigation, and flood control in the region. Completed in 1956, it has a height of 56 meters (184 feet) and a reservoir capacity of approximately 3.16 cubic kilometers (2.56 million acre-feet). The dam supports agricultural activities and urban water supply in the area.

6. Deriner Dam: Located on the Çoruh River in northeastern Turkey, Deriner Dam is one of the tallest dams in the country. Completed in 2012, it stands at a height of 249 meters (817 feet) and has a reservoir capacity of about 2.65 cubic kilometers (2.15 million acre-feet). Deriner Dam contributes significantly to hydroelectric power generation in the region.

7. Karakaya Dam: Also known as the Atatürk II Dam, Karakaya Dam is situated on the Euphrates River in southeastern Turkey. Completed in 1987, it has a height of 165 meters (541 feet) and a reservoir capacity of approximately 10.5 cubic kilometers (8.5 million acre-feet). The dam supports irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.

8. Alpaslan I Dam: Located on the Murat River, a major tributary of the Euphrates River, Alpaslan I Dam is an important hydroelectric dam in eastern Turkey. Completed in 2014, it stands at a height of 249 meters (817 feet) and has a reservoir capacity of about 1.5 cubic kilometers (1.2 million acre-feet). The dam contributes to electricity generation and regional development.

9. Çetin Dam: Situated on the Botan River in southeastern Turkey, Çetin Dam is part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). Completed in 2012, it has a height of 180 meters (591 feet) and a reservoir capacity of approximately 1.5 cubic kilometers (1.2 million acre-feet). Çetin Dam plays a significant role in irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.

10. Tahtalı Dam: Located on the Ceyhan River in southern Turkey, Tahtalı Dam serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1998, it has a height of 124 meters (407 feet) and a reservoir capacity of about 1.12 cubic kilometers (0.91 million acre-feet). The dam supports agricultural activities and economic development in the region.

Certainly! Let’s delve deeper into each of the top 10 dams in Turkey, exploring their significance, construction details, and the impact they have on the country’s development:

1. Atatürk Dam:

   • Located on the Euphrates River in southeastern Turkey, Atatürk Dam is not only one of the largest dams in Turkey but also one of the largest earth-fill dams in the world.
   • Construction of the dam began in 1983 and was completed in 1990. It was named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
   • The primary purposes of the dam include hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control. It has significantly boosted agricultural production in the region through extensive irrigation schemes.
   • Atatürk Dam plays a crucial role in Turkey’s energy sector, contributing a substantial portion of the country’s hydroelectric power output.
   • The reservoir formed by the dam, Lake Atatürk, is one of the largest artificial lakes in Turkey and serves as a recreational area for locals and tourists.

2. Keban Dam:

   • Also situated on the Euphrates River, Keban Dam is the fourth largest dam in Turkey in terms of reservoir capacity.
   • Construction of the dam began in 1966 and was completed in 1975. It was built to meet Turkey’s growing energy demands and to support agricultural development in the region.
   • Keban Dam plays a vital role in flood control along the Euphrates River, mitigating the risk of downstream flooding.
   • The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Keban, is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other water-based recreational activities.

3. Kariba Dam:

   • Located on the Tigris River, Kariba Dam is a key component of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), a multi-sector development initiative aimed at harnessing the region’s water resources for irrigation, energy production, and rural development.
   • Construction of the dam began in 1974 and was completed in 1975. It was designed to provide water for irrigation projects and to generate hydroelectric power.
   • Kariba Dam has significantly increased agricultural productivity in the surrounding areas, allowing farmers to cultivate a wider variety of crops and support livestock farming.
   • The dam’s reservoir, known as Lake Kariba, has also become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

4. Ilısu Dam:

   • As part of the GAP, Ilısu Dam is designed to regulate the flow of the Tigris River and provide water for irrigation, particularly in southeastern Turkey where water scarcity is a significant challenge.
   • Construction of the dam began in 2006 and is expected to be completed in the near future. Once operational, it will have a significant impact on agriculture, electricity generation, and regional development.
   • Ilısu Dam has faced controversy due to its environmental and social impacts, including the displacement of local communities and the inundation of historically significant sites such as Hasankeyf, an ancient city along the Tigris River.

5. Seyhan Dam:

   • Located on the Seyhan River near the city of Adana, Seyhan Dam was one of the first major dams built in Turkey for irrigation and flood control purposes.
   • Construction of the dam began in 1954 and was completed in 1956. It was named after the Seyhan River, which is one of the principal rivers of southern Turkey.
   • Seyhan Dam has played a crucial role in transforming the landscape of the Adana region, allowing for the expansion of agricultural land and the development of urban areas.
   • The reservoir formed by the dam, Lake Seyhan, provides water for irrigation, municipal use, and industrial purposes.

6. Deriner Dam:

   • Deriner Dam, located on the Çoruh River in northeastern Turkey, is the tallest dam in Turkey and one of the tallest arch dams in the world.
   • Construction of the dam began in 1998 and was completed in 2012. It was built to harness the hydroelectric potential of the Çoruh River and reduce Turkey’s dependence on imported energy.
   • Deriner Dam has significantly increased electricity generation capacity in the region, helping to meet the growing demand for power in Turkey.
   • The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Deriner, has also provided opportunities for tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty and water-based activities.

7. Karakaya Dam:

   • Also known as the Atatürk II Dam, Karakaya Dam is located downstream of the Atatürk Dam on the Euphrates River.
   • Construction of the dam began in 1977 and was completed in 1987. It was built to augment the water storage capacity of the Euphrates River and generate additional hydroelectric power.
   • Karakaya Dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Euphrates River and maintaining a steady supply of water for irrigation, particularly during dry periods.
   • The reservoir formed by the dam, Lake Karakaya, has become a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities.

8. Alpaslan I Dam:

   • Situated on the Murat River, a tributary of the Euphrates River, Alpaslan I Dam is one of the newest additions to Turkey’s hydroelectric power infrastructure.
   • Construction of the dam began in 2008 and was completed in 2014. It was named after Alp Arslan, the second Sultan of the Seljuk Empire.
   • Alpaslan I Dam has significantly increased electricity generation capacity in eastern Turkey, helping to meet the region’s growing energy needs.
   • The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Alpaslan, has also provided opportunities for irrigation and recreational activities, contributing to local economic development.

9. Çetin Dam:

   • Part of the GAP, Çetin Dam is located on the Botan River in southeastern Turkey and is designed to provide water for irrigation and generate hydroelectric power.
   • Construction of the dam began in 2006 and was completed in 2012. It was named after Çetin, a Turkish engineer who played a key role in the project’s design and implementation.
   • Çetin Dam has helped to expand agricultural production in the region, particularly in areas where water was previously scarce.
   • The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Çetin, has also become a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities.

10. Tahtalı Dam:

    • Situated on the Ceyhan River in southern Turkey, Tahtalı Dam is primarily used for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.
    • Construction of the dam began in 1993 and was completed in 1998. It was built to support agricultural development and urban water supply in the Adana region.
    • Tahtalı Dam has played a crucial role in managing water resources in southern Turkey, particularly during periods of drought or heavy rainfall.
    • The reservoir formed by the dam, Lake Tahtalı, has also provided opportunities for recreation and tourism, contributing to the local economy.