The Mesochora Dam is concrete-face rock-fill dam on the Acheloos River near Mesochora in Trikala, Greece. The 150 m (490 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 Mesochora, Sykia, Mouzaki and Pyli Dams along with a 17.4 km (10.8 mi) long channel.

Mesochora Dam
Spillway of Mesochora Dam
Mesochora Dam is located in Greece
Mesochora Dam
Location of Mesochora Dam in Greece
CountryGreece
LocationMesochora, Trikala
Coordinates39°27′51.86″N 21°18′15.08″E / 39.4644056°N 21.3041889°E / 39.4644056; 21.3041889
PurposeRiver diversion, irrigation, power
StatusComplete, not commissioned
Construction began1996
Opening date2001
Owner(s)Public Power Corporation of Greece
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment, earth-fill
ImpoundsAcheloos River
Height150 m (490 ft)
Length340 m (1,120 ft)
Dam volume5,000,000 m3 (6,500,000 cu yd)[1]
Reservoir
Total capacity358,000,000 m3 (290,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area7.8 km2 (3.0 sq mi)
Power Station
TypeConventional
Turbines2 x 81 MW Francis-type (planned)
Installed capacity162 MW (planned)

The idea for an Acheloos to Thessaly diversion project was first envisioned in the 1930s but a lack of funding precluded construction. Interest in the project was revived in 1984 and what was supposed to be a small dam at Mesochora apart from the diversion project was increased in size to support to river diversion. Over the next several years there was a series of legal battles that led to 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 Acheloos. Supporters call on the benefit to the lucrative cotton crops it will help irrigate and the dam's planned 162 MW hydroelectric power plant.[3] The Mesochora Dam was completed in January 2001 but the reservoir has yet to be filled and the power plant has subsequently not been commissioned due to legal battles.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Large Dams in Greece". Greek Commission on Large Dams. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Large Dams in Greece". National Technical University of Athens. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Acheloos River Diversion Project, Greece, Greece". Water Technology. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Hydroelectric Plants in Greece - Macedonia". IndustCards. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
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