Sykia Dam
The Sykia Dam is a mostly constructed but unused earth-filled embankment dam on the Acheloos River along the border of Karditsa and Arta, Greece. The 170 m (560 ft) tall dam is part of the Acheloos River Diversion which is intended to divert a portion of the Acheloos west to irrigate 240,000–380,000 ha (590,000–940,000 acres) in the Thessaly plains. The project includes the Sykia, Messochora, Mouzaki and Pyli Dams along with a 17.4 km (10.8 mi) long channel.
| Sykia Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of Sykia Dam in Greece | |
| Country | Greece |
| Location | Karditsa/Arta |
| Coordinates | 39°18′47.98″N 21°24′46.67″E |
| Purpose | River diversion, irrigation, power |
| Status | Suspended |
| Construction began | 1996 |
| Owner(s) | Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment, earth-fill |
| Impounds | Acheloos River |
| Height | 170 m (560 ft) |
| Length | 397 m (1,302 ft) |
| Dam volume | 12,000,000 m3 (16,000,000 cu yd)[1] |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 502,000,000 m3 (407,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface area | 12.8 km2 (4.9 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Type | Conventional |
| Turbines | 2 x 60 MW Francis-type (planned) |
| Installed capacity | 120 MW (planned) |
The idea for the Sykia Dam and overall diversion project was first envisioned in the 1930s but a lack of funding precluded construction. Interest in the project was revived in 1984 and construction on the dam began in 1996. Over the next several years there was a series of legal battles that led to final construction stalling, most recently in 2005.[2] Opponents of the scheme cite significant changes to the environment, flooding of villages and that the scheme will divert 600,000,000 m3 (490,000 acre⋅ft) of water annually from the Acheloss. Supporters call on the benefit to the lucrative cotton crops it will help irrigate and the dam's planned 120 MW hydroelectric power plant.[3]
References
- "Large Dams in Greece". Greek Commission on Large Dams. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- "Large Dams in Greece". National Technical University of Athens. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- "Acheloos River Diversion Project, Greece, Greece". Water Technology. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
