| 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°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 is a reservoir formed by the Kardzhali Dam, 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 construction of the dam started in 1957 and it was commissioned into service in 1963. 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 area of 16.07 km2 and its surface has elevation of 324.3 meters above 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 catfish. Nowadays there are 100 kg representatives. Later, 45,000 carp were introduced into the reservoir as well.