Mesochora Dam

Dam in Mesochora, Trikala

39°27′51.86″N 21°18′15.08″E / 39.4644056°N 21.3041889°E / 39.4644056; 21.3041889PurposeRiver diversion, irrigation, powerStatusComplete, not commissionedConstruction began1996Opening date2001Owner(s)Public Power Corporation of GreeceDam and spillwaysType of damEmbankment, earth-fillImpoundsAcheloos RiverHeight150 m (490 ft)Length340 m (1,120 ft)Dam volume5,000,000 m³ (6,500,000 cu yd)^[1]ReservoirTotal capacity358,000,000 m³ (290,000 acre⋅ft)Surface area7.8 km² (3.0 sq mi)Power StationTypeConventionalTurbines2 x 81 MW Francis-type (planned)Installed capacity162 MW (planned)

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.

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]

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. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
^ "Acheloos River Diversion Project, Greece, Greece". Water Technology. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
^ "Hydroelectric Plants in Greece - Macedonia". IndustCards. Retrieved 30 April 2013.