Lar Dam, Earth-fill embankment dam in Bala Larijan Rural District, Iran
Lar Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam in Bala Larijan Rural District, Mazandaran province, Iran, holding back a large mountain reservoir at an elevation of about 2510 meters above sea level. The crest runs for over a kilometer and rises around 107 meters above the valley floor.
Construction of Lar Dam began in 1974 and was completed in 1982, as part of a national effort to manage water resources in Iran's mountain regions. The project was intended to store water from the surrounding peaks for irrigation and supply to lower areas.
The reservoir created by the dam has become a destination for people from nearby towns who come to walk along the shore and enjoy the mountain setting. The area draws visitors who want to experience the high-altitude landscape around the lake.
The area is most accessible in summer when the mountain roads from Amol are clear of snow and easy to drive. Because the site sits at high altitude, warm clothing is worth bringing even in the warmer months.
Natural hot springs sit close to the dam, just a short distance from the cold mountain reservoir, creating an unusual contrast in a single landscape. This pairing of warm spring water and the cool lake makes the area stand out from most other dam sites in Iran.
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