Barekese Dam is a dam on the Ofin River that supports the main water treatment plant for Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, supplying about 80 percent of the potable water for the city and its surrounding environs.[5][6] It is operated by the Ghana Water Company.

Barekese Dam
Barekese Dam is located in Ghana
Barekese Dam
Location of Barekese Dam in Ghana
CountryGhana
LocationBarekese, Kumasi, Ashanti Region
Coordinates6°50′6.33″N 1°43′18.53″W / 6.8350917°N 1.7218139°W / 6.8350917; -1.7218139
PurposeMunicipal water supply[1]
StatusOperational
Construction began1965
Opening date1969
Operator(s)Ghana Water and Sewerage Company
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment and gravity composite
ImpoundsOfin River
Height (foundation)21.5 m (71 ft)
Height (thalweg)18.5 m (61 ft)
Length603 m (1,978 ft)
Elevation at crest223.6 m (734 ft)
Width (crest)6 m (20 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity35,300,000 m3 (28,600 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area909 km2 (351 sq mi)
Surface area6.4 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Maximum length13 km (8.1 mi)[2]
Normal elevation220.9 m (725 ft)[3]
Hydraulic head12 m (39 ft)
Installed capacity400 kW[4]

History

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The Dam was built by Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. It was started in 1965, and completed in June 1969 with the aim of providing both water and electricity to the people of Kumasi.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "(BAREKESE) ATWIMA NWABIAGYA: Barekese Dam expansion works near completion". Ghana Districts. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  2. ^ "The African Dams Database - References and Notes" (PDF). UN FAO - Aquastat. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Ashanti Region Dams" (PDF). Ghana Hydro Data. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  4. ^ "Hydro Power Development in Ghana" (PDF). Energy Commission, Ghana. p. 12. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Government gets funding for expansion of Barekese Dam". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  6. ^ "Barekese Dam under threat from encroachers - Kessben FM". Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  7. ^ -SpyGhana.com, Ghana. "Revive Nkrumah's Barekese Power Project -". Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  8. ^ "Chainsaw operations rife at Barekese - Graphic OnlineGraphic.com.gh". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2015-04-17.