La Esmeralda Dam | |
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![]() The dam's reservoir | |
Official name | Presa La Esmeralda |
Country | Colombia |
Location | Santa María, Neira Province |
Coordinates | 04°54′03″N 73°17′49″W / 4.90083°N 73.29694°W |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | 1960 |
Opening date | 1976 |
Construction cost | $395 million |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Embankment, rock-fill |
Impounds | Batá River |
Height | 237 m (778 ft) |
Length | 310 m (1,020 ft) |
Dam volume | 11,500,000 m3 (410,000,000 cu ft) |
Reservoir | |
Creates | La Esmeralda Reservoir |
Total capacity | 758×10 6 m3 (615,000 acre⋅ft) |
Active capacity | 680×10 6 m3 (550,000 acre⋅ft) |
Surface area | 12.6 km (7.8 mi) |
Maximum length | 22 km (14 mi) |
Maximum width | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
Maximum water depth | 130 m (430 ft) |
Normal elevation | 1,200 m (3,900 ft) |
Chivor Power Station | |
Coordinates | 4°52′51.52″N 73°13′55.32″W / 4.8809778°N 73.2320333°W |
Operator(s) | AES Chivor |
Commission date | 1976–1982 |
Turbines | 8 x 125 MW (168,000 hp) Pelton turbines[1] |
Installed capacity | 1,000 MW (1,300,000 hp) |
Annual generation | 4,620×10 6 kWh (1.66×1010 MJ) |
La Esmeralda Dam is an embankment dam on the Batá River northwest of Santa María in Boyacá Department, Neira Province, Valle de Tenza (Tenza Valley) Colombia, 52 km to south of Tunja city. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and it is part of the Chivor Hydroelectric Project. Water from the Batá is diverted by the dam to a power station that discharges to the Lengupá River. The power station supplies 8% of Colombia's power demand.[2]