La Esmeralda Dam
Encyclopedia
La Esmeralda Dam is an embankment dam
on the Batá River northwest of Santa María
in Boyacá Department
, Neira Province
, Colombia
. 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.
promoted the project as well and it was dubbed "Project Gustavo". In 1958, further studies including geological and hydrological began. The hydroelectric project was designed in two 500 MW stages and it became apparent that additional funding would be needed to construct it. In November 1970, Ingetec S.A — under the supervision of Interconexión Electrica S.A — began construction on stage one after receiving a World Bank
loan. Stage one was complete in 1977 and a year prior, construction on stage two had started in June. By 1982, stage two was completed and inaugurated. Stage two required a World Bank loan as well. In 1996, operation and ownership of the dam and power plant was transferred from the public to the private sector.
with a structural volume of 11500000 cubic metre. The dam's reservoir
has a 758000000 cubic metre capacity, of which 680000000 cubic metre is active (or "useful") storage. The reservoir has a surface area of 12.6 km (8 mi) and a maximum depth of 130 m (427 ft). Its maximum length is 22 km (14 mi) at a normal elevation of 1200 m (3,937 ft) above sea level and its maximum width is 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi). Helping to withhold the reservoir are two auxiliary dams. The dam's power station, Chivor, lies to the southeast and is fed with water from reservoir by two separate 7.6 km (5 mi) long tunnels (stage one and two). Near the banks of the Lengupá River, the tunnels split into eight separate penstock
s to supply each 125 MW Pelton turbine-generator with water. Once utilized for electricity, the water is discharged into the Lengupá. The normal drop in elevation from the reservoir to the power station is 130 m (427 ft).
Embankment dam
An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof...
on the Batá River northwest of Santa María
Santa María, Boyacá
Santa María is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Neira Province....
in Boyacá Department
Boyacá Department
Boyacá is one of the 32 Departments of Colombia, and the remnant of one of the original nine states of the "United States of Colombia".Boyacá is centrally located within Colombia, almost entirely within the mountains of the Eastern Cordillera to the border with Venezuela, although the western end...
, Neira Province
Neira Province
The Neira Province is a subregion of the Colombian Department of Boyacá. The subregion is formed by 6 municipalities.-Municipalities:Chinavita • Garagoa • Macanal • Pachavita • San Luis de Gaceno • Santa María-References:...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. 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.
History
Initial studies for the project began in 1954. The idea behind the dam was to divert water from the Batá to the Lengupá which lies at a much lower elevation. This idea was originally suggested by a topographer at The Electric Promotion Institute and later contemplated by an American-French delegation that was helping to develop Colombia's Electrification Plan at the time. Colombia's president at the time, Gustavo Rojas PinillaGustavo Rojas Pinilla
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla was a Colombian politician, military officer, General of the Army and President of Colombia between 1953 and 1957.- Biographic data :...
promoted the project as well and it was dubbed "Project Gustavo". In 1958, further studies including geological and hydrological began. The hydroelectric project was designed in two 500 MW stages and it became apparent that additional funding would be needed to construct it. In November 1970, Ingetec S.A — under the supervision of Interconexión Electrica S.A — began construction on stage one after receiving a World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
loan. Stage one was complete in 1977 and a year prior, construction on stage two had started in June. By 1982, stage two was completed and inaugurated. Stage two required a World Bank loan as well. In 1996, operation and ownership of the dam and power plant was transferred from the public to the private sector.
Design
La Esmeralda dam is a 237 m (778 ft) tall and 310 m (1,017 ft) long central core rock-fill embankment damEmbankment dam
An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof...
with a structural volume of 11500000 cubic metre. The dam's reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
has a 758000000 cubic metre capacity, of which 680000000 cubic metre is active (or "useful") storage. The reservoir has a surface area of 12.6 km (8 mi) and a maximum depth of 130 m (427 ft). Its maximum length is 22 km (14 mi) at a normal elevation of 1200 m (3,937 ft) above sea level and its maximum width is 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi). Helping to withhold the reservoir are two auxiliary dams. The dam's power station, Chivor, lies to the southeast and is fed with water from reservoir by two separate 7.6 km (5 mi) long tunnels (stage one and two). Near the banks of the Lengupá River, the tunnels split into eight separate penstock
Penstock
A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydraulic turbines and sewerage systems. It is a term that has been inherited from the technology of wooden watermills....
s to supply each 125 MW Pelton turbine-generator with water. Once utilized for electricity, the water is discharged into the Lengupá. The normal drop in elevation from the reservoir to the power station is 130 m (427 ft).
See also
- List of power stations in Colombia
- List of conventional hydroelectric power stations
External links
- AES Chivor Homepage