The largest dam in the world. SFW - jokes, humor, girls, accidents, cars, photos of celebrities and much more. Luzzone Dam in Switzerland

People began to build the simplest dams and dams from time immemorial. Their goals were different: protection from floods, creating large reserves of water for dry periods, and later - generating cheap electricity. Small dams have been built in the Middle East for thousands of years. Modern dams are gigantic concrete structures that are impressive in their power and serve several purposes at the same time. Naturally, the largest dams and dams in the world were not built in one year.
As is known, in any hydroelectric power station the kinetic energy of falling water is converted into mechanical energy of a rotating turbine, which is converted into electrical energy through a generator. The main purpose of a hydraulic structure such as a dam is to direct the flow of water, fence off the territory, and temporarily retain water. Unlike dams, dams are needed to block a river bed with a subsequent rise in the water level upstream and the formation of a reservoir. A dam standing across the drainage sharply demarcates it into two sections with very different water levels. Reservoirs formed behind dams have different uses, the most common of which is the formation of a hydroelectric complex.

1. Jinping-1 hydroelectric power station (305 m)

The dam of the Chinese Jinping-1 hydroelectric power station is currently the highest in the world, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Essentially, its height is equal to the height of the famous Eiffel Tower. To build this gigantic 569-meter-long lintel, builders had to pour 5 million cubic meters of concrete into the gorge.
This dam is located in Sichuan province on the Yalongjiang River, near its mouth. The hydroelectric station got its name from the bend the river makes. The Yalongjiang flows through a deep gorge, so the Chinese intend to build a whole cascade of hydroelectric power stations on it in the future.
Construction of Jinping-1 began in 2005, and already in 2012 it was put into operation. It was planned to be built back in the 1960s, but it was done 40 years later. Previously, 7,500 local residents had to be relocated to other places. The project provided for the construction of 6 power units, annually generating 16.6 billion kW of electricity. But only two power units were built, producing 600,000 kW each. It is known that the higher the dam, the more energy the hydroelectric power station can produce, which is now so needed by rapidly developing China. In addition, it should protect the river mouth from floods and washing away of fertile soil. The dam is resistant to earthquakes, which periodically occur here.

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2. Nurek hydroelectric power station (304 m)

In Tajikistan, the Nurek hydroelectric power station was built on the Vakhsh River near the city of Nurek. Its nominal installed capacity is about 2.75 GW, which is 75% of all electricity generated in Tajikistan. The country exports excess energy to its neighbors - Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Behind the dam is the Nurek reservoir.
The design of the Nurek hydroelectric power station was completed in 1961, and construction began in the same year. The station was put into operation in 1972, and the last power unit was launched in 1979. In addition to generating electricity, water from the reservoir is diverted through a special tunnel to irrigate farmland. In dry years, this reduces power generation.

3. Xiaowan hydroelectric power station (292 m)

This hydroelectric power station was built on the Mekong, which flows through the territory of a number of states, and is the largest hydroelectric power station on it. Construction began on it in early 2002, after 2.5 years the river was blocked, and the first power unit started working in 2009. The dam was completed in 2010, and the last unit was supposed to be launched in 2013.
The Xiaowan hydroelectric power station dam has an arched structure with a height of 292 meters; in its depths there is a hall with 6 hydraulic units with a capacity of 700 MW each, as well as tunnel spillways. The design capacity of the hydroelectric power station is 4.2 GW; on average, it generates 19 billion kWh of electricity per year. The dam has a thick enough profile that allows it to withstand magnitude 8 earthquakes. There are several cascades of spillways located in its body. The underground building of the hydroelectric power station has a length of about 300 meters. Water is supplied to each hydraulic unit through a conduit with a diameter of 9 meters, and after it is discharged through two tunnels. In addition to working tunnels, there are also reserve ones designed to discharge water if necessary.

4. Silodu hydroelectric power station (285.5 m)

This hydroelectric power station was built in China on the Jinsha River and has one of the highest dams in the world. The river is blocked by a dam near the village of Silodu, which is part of the Zhaotong urban district. The Xiluodu Hydroelectric Power Plant has become the core element of the Jinsha River drainage regulation project. In addition to the main goal of generating electricity, the dam must reduce the silt content in the water, which is important for drinking water.
The hydroelectric power station was built over 8 years and cost the treasury 11.2 billion dollars. It became the third largest hydroelectric power station in the world. In 2005, when the construction of the hydroelectric power station was in full swing, it had to be suspended, since the consequences of the appearance of this facility on the environment in this region, as it turned out, had not yet been sufficiently studied. Later, however, construction was resumed, and in 2009 the river bed was blocked. In the summer of 2013, the first power unit with a capacity of 770 MW was launched, and the 14th began operating in April 2014. The latest units of the hydroelectric power station went into operation in August of the same year.

5. Grand Dixence (285 m)

Once upon a time, the highest gravity dam in the world was the Grande Dixence, which is part of the Cleison-Dixence hydroelectric complex located in the Rhone basin. It includes a number of dams with reservoirs, diversion hydroelectric power plants and pumping stations. It is located in the Swiss canton of Valais. Melt water flows from 35 surrounding glaciers to the dam. The most water in the reservoirs of the hydraulic complex is collected in September, and in April the water level in them is minimal.
Construction of the Grand Dixence Dam began in 1951 and was completed in 1965. At its base, this gigantic structure is 200 meters thick, its length reaches 695 meters, and its height is 285 meters. 6 million cubic meters of concrete were used for its construction. The dam can be visited, and some hiking trails start here.

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6. Inguri hydroelectric power station (271.5 m)

The Enguri hydroelectric power station is the largest hydroelectric power station in the Caucasus. It was built on the river of the same name near the city of Jvari on the Georgian-Abkhaz border. The key facilities of the hydroelectric power station are located on the territories of both of these conflicting countries, so its operation is possible only in conditions of cooperation of both parties.
Construction of the dam on the Enguri began over 50 years ago, and in 1977 the hydroelectric power station produced its first current. The dam, together with the underground turbine room, forms a hydraulic complex. Travelers are unlikely to be able to get to the dam, however, many of them would like to admire the surrounding mountain landscapes. An observation deck was built here especially for them, from where both the surrounding mountains and the dam itself are visible.

7. Vayont Dam (261.6 m)

About a hundred kilometers from Venice there is a very high Vayont dam, which has an arched concrete structure. The Italians planned to build a dam here back in the 20s of the last century, but the subsequent world war prevented the implementation of these plans. It was possible to begin construction of the dam only in 1957, but a few years later construction had to be suspended because a crack had formed in the mountain. To ensure normal operation of the dam, a special gallery had to be built along the bottom. When all construction work was completed, the reservoir began to be filled with water.
At the base of the dam are rocks such as limestone and dolomite. To discharge flood waters, a special spillway with 10 channels is provided. In 2002, the dam was opened to the public for the reason that it had ceased to be used. And yet it continues to stand strong even after an accident in which the upper edge of the dam was washed away.

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8. Chicoasen Dam (261 m)

The Chicoasen causeway dam is located in Mexico, on the Grijalva River. Construction began on it in 1974, and it entered service in 1980, after which it became the largest of its kind in North America. The length of the dam was 485 meters. The area of the reservoir formed behind the dam was 52,600 square meters. m, and the minimum volume of water in it reaches 1.6 billion cubic meters.
For arid Mexico, the dam has become one of the main means of water collection. The dam became part of the largest hydroelectric power station in Mexico, which is officially called Manuel Moreno Torres - that was the name of its first owner, but among the population the name of the region where it is located is more often used.

9. Nuojadu Dam

In 2012, China built a new dam on the Mekong River with the Nuozhadu hydroelectric power station, which became the fifth in Yunnan province. The main task of hydroelectric power stations was to produce electricity, and dams were to combat floods and provide navigation. The hydroelectric power station operates 9 electric generators, each of which has a capacity of 650 megawatts. The entire power plant is capable of generating 5,850 megawatts of energy. Construction of this dam began in 2004, the very first generator began spinning in September 2012, and the most recent one was put into operation in June 2014.

10. Teri hydroelectric station

The state of Uttar Pradesh is located in northern India. The Bhagirathi River flows through its territory, on which a large Teri hydroelectric complex was built. Its underground structures and rockfill dam were built by the Russian company Technopromexport in 1992-2008. The Tehri Dam became the highest in India and, as of 2015, was among the ten highest in the world.
The machine and transformer rooms of this hydroelectric power station are deepened 300 meters below ground level. In addition to the hydroelectric power station, pumped storage power plants are still being built here; both of them should form a single complex, necessary to simplify their operation and reduce the cost of construction.
Over 100,000 local residents had to be resettled from the flood zone during the construction process. Environmental organizations staged numerous protests against the construction of the hydroelectric complex, raising concerns about the negative consequences for the fragile ecology of the Himalayan foothills. The appearance of a dam in a region with high seismic activity did not arouse enthusiasm either. Already in 1991, a fairly strong earthquake of 6.8 magnitude occurred not far from the dam; its epicenter was only 53 km from the dam site. Fortunately, the project provides that the Teri hydroelectric dam is capable of withstanding natural disasters of up to 8.4.

Over the many centuries of its existence, humanity has learned to build hydraulic structures of amazing size - dams. Nature itself gave lessons on their construction: there are many reservoirs that were blocked due to disasters that occurred. The largest dam in the world was formed after a powerful earthquake. But man-made hydraulic structures are not much inferior to it in size.

The first dams built by man were small walls, the height of which reached several tens of meters. Modern structures rise hundreds of meters above the ground and can hold billions of cubic meters of water. The construction of dams makes it possible to generate electricity, irrigate cultivated land, or provide water to the population.

Usoi Dam - the largest dam on the planet

To build a huge dam, people need several years of intense work and enormous amounts of money. Nature can create a dam in just a few minutes. A striking example of this is the natural dam that appeared in the Pamir Mountains in 1911. During a strong earthquake, part of the mountain collapsed into the gorge, damming the Murghab River. The height of this dam is 567 m. This huge dam holds back Lake Sarez, which formed over a long period of time.

The largest dam created by people is the dam built in China on the Yalongjiang River. The height of this arched structure, made of concrete, is 305 meters. The creation of this dam project began in the 1960s. The reservoir, which is formed after the construction of the dam, was supposed to flood a huge area of \u200b\u200bcultivable land and part of the settlements. The Chinese government had to resettle more than 7.5 thousand people from the reservoir area. Construction of the dam began in 2005 and took about 8 years.

The dam, built in the second half of the 20th century in Tajikistan to ensure the operation of the Nurek hydroelectric power station, is also impressive in its size. The height of the rockfill dam is 300 m. It was erected over 11 years. The reservoir that emerged after the construction of the dam is impressive in its size:

its area is 98 km²;
the length of the reservoir reaches 70 km;
the volume of water stored in the reservoir is 10.5 km 3 .

The water level in the Nurek reservoir drops in the summer, which does not allow the full capacity of the hydroelectric power station to be used. Water from the reservoir is also used to irrigate cultivated lands.

The dam built in Kita on the Mekong River is also a grandiose structure. It was built to support the operation of the Xiaowan hydroelectric power station. The dam, whose height is 292 m, was built over 8 years:

in 2002, the start of construction of the dam was officially announced;
in 2003, the first construction work began;
concrete pouring started in 2005;
the first generators were launched in 2007;
in 2010, construction of the dam was completed.

The reservoir formed after the construction of the dam flooded more than 55 hectares of land. About 33 thousand people had to be resettled from the areas used for the reservoir.

Another huge dam appeared in China on the Yangtze River in 2014. A large-scale dam, the height of which is 285.5 m, ensures the operation of a hydroelectric power station in the village of Silodu. Construction of this arched concrete structure began in 2005 and took about 9 years. 24 billion dollars were spent on it. The dam consists of several complex structures, the construction of which required a long time and enormous costs:

a dam made of gravel and concrete, the length of which is 2309 m;
three hydroelectric power buildings;
a shipping lock, which consists of five double-thread stages;
boat lift.

One of the largest artificial dams is the Grand Dixence Dam, built in Switzerland in 1964. Its construction made it possible to ensure the operation of four hydroelectric power stations. The construction of the dam was quite a difficult task, since the structure had to withstand the pressure of powerful mountain streams. Engineers have designed a colossal structure of impressive size, which is highly durable:

the height of the dam is 285 m;
length – 700m;
the width of the base exceeds 200 m;
The width of the upper part of the dam is 15 m.

The list of the world's largest dams also includes a dam built in Georgia on the Inguri River. This arched concrete structure, which is 271.5 m high and 728 m long, powers several hydroelectric power stations. The dam was officially put into operation in 1978. At the base of the dam there is a high-strength plug, the width of which is 52 m. The thickness of the dam crest is 10 m.

One of the largest dams in the world was built in Italy on the Vayonte River in 1961. It was assumed that the dam, 261.6 m high, would create a reservoir that would ensure the operation of a hydroelectric power station built near Mount Monte Toc. But due to miscalculations by engineers who incorrectly assessed the condition of the surrounding rocks, the reservoir was filled with a landslide in 1963. After this disaster, which caused the death of 2.5 thousand people, the dam became inoperative.

In 1974, Mexico began construction of a huge earthen embankment dam, which today is one of the largest in the world. The construction of the structure took 6 years. In 1980, the dam was put into operation, thanks to which a hydroelectric power station was launched in the city of Chicoasen. This dam is the largest in North America. Its height is 261 m and its length is 485 m. About 1.6 billion m 3 of water is stored in the reservoir, whose area exceeds 52,600 km².

The last place in the top ten largest dams in the world goes to a dam built in China on the Mekong River. The construction of a structure with a height of 261 m made it possible to create a huge reservoir that ensures the operation of several hydroelectric power stations. Construction of the dam began in 2004. The earthen embankment dam, which is 608 m long and 18 m thick, was commissioned in 2012. Thanks to its construction, a reservoir was equipped with an area of 140,000 km 2.

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Throughout history, man has created dams for various reasons, to prevent floods and natural disasters, to generate electricity, or to create a water supply. It all started thousands of years ago in the Middle East, with small walls, and today dams play a vital role in generating electricity, performing many tasks and taking years to build. To understand the importance of the impact these architectural marvels have had on our lives, here are the 25 tallest dams in the world.

Dam Toktogul

Toktogul is a hydroelectric and irrigation dam on the Naryn River in Jalalabad Province of Kyrgyzstan. This dam is the lowest on our list, at 215 meters high.

Longtan Hydroelectric Power Station

Longtan Dam is a large concrete dam on the Hongshui River in China. It reaches a height of 216.5 meters. This huge hydroelectric power station was finally launched in 2009 and consists of 9 hydro generators.

Glen Canyon Dam

Named for Glen Canyon, a colorful series of gorges much of which is now underwater, the dam created the second largest man-made lake in the United States. The height of the dam is approximately 219 meters.

Dvorak Dam

At 219 meters high, Dvorak is the third tallest dam in the United States and the tallest straight-axis dam in the Western Hemisphere.

Contra Dam in Switzerland

Also known as the Verzasca Dam or Locarno Dam, the Contra is an arched dam on the Verzasca River in Switzerland.

Hoover Dam in Arizona

Hoover Dam is one of the most famous and recognizable in the world, as well as the most visited by tourists. Once known as Boulder Dam, it is a concrete dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Arizona and Nevada.

Luzzone Dam in Switzerland

With the tallest artificial vertical wall in the world on one of its sides, the Luzzone Dam reaches 225 meters in height.

Bhakra Dam

A concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in northern India.

Karun Dam 4 in Iran

Arch-type dam on the Karun River in Iran. The main purpose of the construction of Karun 4 is a power supply and flood control.

Shuibuya Dam

Designed not only to generate electricity, but also for flood control, navigation, tourism and fishing, the Shuibuya Dam is 233 meters high.

Chirkey hydroelectric power station

This arch dam on the Sulak River is the tallest dam of its type in Russia, with a height of 232.5 meters.

El Cajon Dam, Honduras

Officially known as the Francisco Morazan Central Hydroelectric Power Plant, this dam is located in Western Honduras. Its height is 226 meters and its length is 282 meters.

Oroville Dam, California

At 230 meters high, this embankment dam was built on the Feather River in California and is the tallest in the United States.

Ertan Dam in China

This 240 meter high dam rises majestically over the Yalong River, a tributary of the Yangtze River in Sichuan Province, southwest China.

Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP

Located on the Yenisei River, near Sayanogorsk in Russia, this dam is the largest power plant in the country and the sixth largest hydroelectric station in the world.

Gas Mika in Canada

This 243-meter-tall dam spans the Columbia River 135 kilometers north of Revelstoke, Canada.

Deriner Dam in Turkey

Named after Ibrahim Deriner, who died during construction work while the chief engineer of the research team, the dam is located on the Sorukh River 3 miles east of Artvin, Turkey.

Laksiva Dam

The 250-meter-high Laxiwa Dam was built on the Yellow River in Qingai Province, northwestern China.

Dam Mauvoisin

With the Blanc de Chellon mountain in the background, the Meauvoisin dam formed the lake of the same name in the Swiss Alps. The height of the dam is 250 meters.

Tehri Dam

This multi-purpose embankment dam made of rocks, stones and earth is built on the Bhagirathi River near the city of Tehri in Uttarakhand, India. Its height is 261 meters.

Vajont Dam in Italy

A disused dam north of Venice, Italy. In 1963, there was a landslide that broke a dam, causing approximately 2,000 deaths.

Inguri Dam in Georgia

This hydroelectric dam on the Enguri River in Georgia is the second tallest concrete arc dam in the world.

Hydrocomplex Clezon-Dixence

At 285 meters high, the concrete gravity dam on the Dixens River in Switzerland is the tallest dam of its type in the world.

Xiaowan Dam in China

Xiaowan is an arch dam on the Mekong River in China. Its main purpose is to provide hydroelectric power.

Dam of Nurek hydroelectric power station

The Nurek Dam on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan is currently the tallest dam in the world, with a height of 300 meters.

Longtan Hydroelectric Power Station

Glen Canyon Dam

Dvorak Dam

At 219 meters high, Dvorak is the third tallest dam in the United States and the tallest straight-axis dam in the Western Hemisphere.

Contra Dam in Switzerland

Also known as the Verzasca Dam or Locarno Dam, the Contra is an arched dam on the Verzasca River in Switzerland.

Hoover Dam in Arizona

The Hoover Dam is one of the most famous and recognizable in the world, as well as the most visited by tourists. Once known as Boulder Dam, it is a concrete dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Arizona and Nevada.

Luzzone Dam in Switzerland

With the tallest artificial vertical wall in the world on one of its sides, the Luzzone Dam reaches 225 meters in height.

Bhakra Dam

A concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in northern India.

Karun Dam 4 in Iran

Arch-type dam on the Karun River in Iran. The main purpose of the construction of Karun 4 is a power supply and flood control.

Shuibuya Dam

Designed not only to generate electricity, but also for flood control, navigation, tourism and fishing, the Shuibuya Dam is 233 meters high.

Chirkey hydroelectric power station

This arched dam on the Sulak River is the tallest dam of its type in Russia, with a height of 232.5 meters.

El Cajon Dam, Honduras

Officially known as the Francisco Morazan Central Hydroelectric Power Plant, this dam is located in Western Honduras. Its height is 226 meters and its length is 282 meters.

Oroville Dam, California

At 230 meters high, this embankment dam was built on the Feather River in California and is the tallest in the United States.

Ertan Dam in China

This 240 meter high dam rises majestically over the Yalong River, a tributary of the Yangtze River in Sichuan Province, southwest China.

Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP

Located on the Yenisei River, near Sayanogorsk in Russia, this dam is the largest power plant in the country and the sixth largest hydroelectric station in the world.

Gas Mika in Canada

This 243-meter-tall dam spans the Columbia River 135 kilometers north of Revelstoke, Canada.

Deriner Dam in Turkey

Named after Ibrahim Deriner, who died during construction work while the chief engineer of the research team, the dam is located on the Sorukh River 3 miles east of Artvin, Turkey.

Laksiva Dam

The 250-meter-high Laxiwa Dam was built on the Yellow River in Qingai Province, northwestern China.

Dam Mauvoisin

With the Blanc de Chellon mountain in the background, the Meauvoisin dam formed the lake of the same name in the Swiss Alps. The height of the dam is 250 meters.

Dams appear everywhere not only thanks to the efforts of toiling beavers, but also as a result of natural disasters: earthquakes, floods, landslides. Not so long ago, man himself came closer to nature and gradually began to surpass it in the scale of dams. In order to generate electricity, barrier structures were spread throughout the land. They are amazing in size and design, with the help of which they hold back incredible volumes of water.
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The list is topped by a natural dam, which was formed in 1991 after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Pamir Mountains (Tajikistan). Its height is 567 meters and it is the largest dam, surpassing all natural and artificial ones in the world. The reservoir itself, held back by it, was formed due to heavy rains and is named after the flooded settlement of Sarez.

The size of the hydroelectric dam is impressive and it deservedly receives second place. Its height is 304 meters, which is a world record among similar buildings. Construction began during the USSR. And today this grandiose structure symbolizes the former strength of a great power.

3.9 billion dollars were spent to create this hydroelectric power station, and its height is 292 meters. Construction of the dam took only 8 years. Today it is one of the most expensive and significant structures built on the territory of the People's Republic of China.

This hydroelectric complex was built in the Rhone River basin. To curb the majestic power of the streams in the mountains of Switzerland, engineers had to try hard. The structure has a reinforced structure and its height is 285 meters.

This dam is located on the Inguri River, which flows among the old Caucasus mountains. Its height is 226 meters, which is the second largest dam located on the territory of the former USSR.

An arched, concrete dam built on Mount Monte Toc near the provincial town of Belluno, Italy. The dam has a height of 261.6 meters, and the thickness of the walls is only 3.9 meters, and that is why it was given the title of the most graceful dam in the world. Currently considered abandoned.

This fabulous dam is located between two Swiss mountains - Gram-Conben and La Rinte. The contained Mawosin Reservoir looks like a real mountain lake: it has an azure color and crystal clarity. The initial height of the platinum reached 237 meters, but then another 13 were added, for a total of 250 meters.

Deriner is Turkey's highest platinum. It is located on the Chorokh River and rises 249 meters. Construction of the dam began in 1998, but the water reservoir was filled only in 2012. The total cost of construction was $2 billion.

Not only a high dam (245 meters), but throughout all of Russia, which is located on the Yenisei River. Its construction took 32 years. In 2009, a man-made accident occurred at the station, which claimed the lives of 75 people. As a result of the water breakthrough, almost all hydraulic units were flooded. Completion of the restoration of the hydroelectric power station is planned for 2014.

Karun-4 is Iran's new hydroelectric power station, the construction of which was officially completed in 2011. The height of its dam was 230 meters. Along with its existing predecessors - Karun-1, Karun-2 and Karun-3 - this hydroelectric power station occupies a place on the list of the largest stations in the world.