Arroyito Dam

Summary

The Arroyito Dam (in Spanish, Embalse de Arroyito) is the fifth of five dams on the Limay River in northwestern Argentine Patagonia (the Comahue region), at 315 metres (1,033 ft) above mean sea level. It was inaugurated in 1979.

Arroyito Dam
CountryArgentina
Coordinates39°06′25.2″S 68°35′07.8″W / 39.107000°S 68.585500°W / -39.107000; -68.585500
StatusOperational
Opening date1979
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsLimay River
Height (thalweg)26 m (85 ft)
Reservoir
Surface area38.6 km2 (14.9 sq mi)
Normal elevation315 m (1,033 ft)
Turbines3 x 42,6 MW
Installed capacity127.8 MW

The dam is made of compacted loose materials. It has a volume of 4 million cubic metres (140×10^6 cu ft), measuring 37 metres (121 ft) in height and 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) in length. It is used primarily for the generation of hydroelectricity, with an installed power of 127.8 megawatts (171,400 hp). It generates on average 560 gigawatt-hours (2,000 TJ) per year. It also serves as a check dam for El Chocón, located upstream.

The reservoir has an area of 38.6 square kilometres (14.9 sq mi) and a volume of 300 million cubic metres (11×10^9 cu ft). Its depth is 7.7 metres (25 ft) on average (maximum: 15 metres (49 ft)).

References edit

  • (in Spanish) InterTourNet. Embalse Arroyito.
  • (in Spanish) Región Comahue[permanent dead link].

External links edit

  • ENEL Arroyito
  • Organismo Regulador de Seguridad de Presas (ORSEP) Arroyito