Deriner Dam, Concrete arch dam in Artvin Province, Turkey
The Deriner Dam is a large arch structure spanning the Çoruh River in Artvin Province, stretching 720 meters (2360 feet) across. Its double-curved concrete wall rises 249 meters (817 feet) above the valley floor, forming a smooth curved barrier between steep mountain slopes.
Construction began in 1998 under a joint effort by Turkish, Russian, and Swiss companies, continuing into the early 2010s. The reservoir started filling in 2012, while turbines began producing electricity in 2013.
The structure takes its name from İbrahim Deriner, who led early survey work before his death. His memory remains attached to the project, reminding visitors of the risks engineers faced in this remote valley.
The facility sits in a remote mountain region, accessible by roads climbing from the valley. Visitors should prepare for shifting weather, as fog and rain can quickly obscure the concrete structure.
The reservoir behind the arch holds nearly two billion cubic meters (70 billion cubic feet) of water and covers more than 26 square kilometers (10 square miles). Its size permanently changed the valley and created a new water body that defines the eastern Black Sea region.
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