Karkheh Dam & Hydropower Plant

The dam site is situated 21 Km northwest of Andimeshk City, in Khuzestan Province (Southwestern Iran). The geographical coordinates of the project site are 48o07.8’ E longitude and 32o29.6’ N latitude.

The studies on the water and soil resources development in the Karkheh River Basin were initiated in 1956 by Omran and Water Resources Company (USA). Between 1974 and 1979, the phase I studies were carried out by Omran and Water Resources Company, during which the Karkheh Zero Reservoir Dam was proposed as the initial development alternative. In 1987, the supplementary studies were assigned to Mahab Ghodss Consulting Engineering Company. The new dam axes were subsequently proposed to Mahab Ghodss and Canik (China) in 1989.

  • Storage of surface flows to irrigate over 345,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Khuzestan and Ilam Provinces.
  • Hydropower generation with an average annual energy production of 934 GWh.
  • Creation of the largest artificial lake (160 Km2) in the country
  • Provision of storage capacity equivalent to 1/3 of the country’s total effective reservoir storage
  • Development of tourist attractions around the 160-Km2 reservoir, along with the potential for aquaculture

Dam Type

Clay Core Earthfill Dam

Dam Height from Foundation (m)

127

Dam Crest Length (m)

3,030

Dam Crest Width (m)

12

Dam Body Volume (m3)

32,500*۱۰³

Total Reservoir Capacity (m3)

5,300 *۱۰⁶

Spillway Type

Ogee (Gated Chute Spillway)

Discharge Capacity of Spillways (m3/s)

18,260

Powerhouse Type

Surface

Number of Units

3

Installed Capacity (MW)

400

Average Annual Energy Generation (GWh)

934