Kardzhali Reservoir

Dam in Kardzhali / Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria

41°38′01″N 25°20′26″E / 41.63361°N 25.34056°E / 41.63361; 25.34056PurposePower generation, flood control, water storage, recreationStatusOperationalConstruction began1957Opening date1963Owner(s)Bulgarian GovernmentOperator(s)NEK EADDam and spillwaysType of damArch-gravity damImpoundsArda RiverHeight103.5 m (340 ft)Length402.89 m (1,321.8 ft)Elevation at crest331.45 m (1,087.4 ft)Spillway type4 Spill valves
4 GatesSpillway capacityValves: 3,100 m³/s (110,000 cu ft/s)
Gates: 880 m³/s (31,000 cu ft/s)ReservoirCreatesKardzhali ReservoirTotal capacity539,900,000 m³ (437,700 acre⋅ft)Catchment area1,882 km² (727 sq mi)Surface area16.07 km² (6.20 sq mi)Normal elevation324.3 m (1,064 ft)Power StationOperator(s)NEK EADHydraulic head93 m (305 ft) maximumTurbines4Installed capacity106 MWAnnual generation160 million kWh

The Kardzhali Reservoir is a reservoir formed by the Kardzhali Dam, situated less than 1 km to the west of the town of Kardzhali in Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria. It is the second largest reservoir by volume in the country.

The construction of the dam started in 1957 and it was commissioned into service in 1963. The reservoir has water catchment area of 1182 km² and maximum volume of 539.9 million m3. When it is filled to its maximum capacity, the reservoir covers area of 16.07 km² and its surface has elevation of 324.3 meters above sea level. The hydroelectric power plant is situated at the foot of the dam.

The reservoir was recently seeded artificially with European perch. The fish was taken from the Ovcharitsa reservoir.

The first historical moment of the reservoir was in the 1970s, when it was artificially seeded with catfish. Nowadays there are 100 kg representatives. Later, 45,000 carp were introduced into the reservoir as well.