Represa de Baygorria, Hydroelectric power station on Rio Negro, Uruguay
Represa de Baygorria is a hydroelectric power station on the Río Negro, on the border between the departments of Durazno and Río Negro, 307 km from the river's mouth and 266 km from Montevideo. Its concrete dam carries a roadway on top, lined with rectangular posts, and is supported by a row of thick angled piers with stepped bases; a raised gate structure with a horizontal beam sits near one end. The plant's maximum power is 108 MW.
Construction began in 1956 and finished in 1960, marking a major step forward for Uruguay's power supply during that era. The project was part of a broader push to supply the nation with electricity using its own water resources.
The dam represents Uruguay's choice to rely on flowing water for electricity rather than other energy sources. For people living nearby and across the country, it means having steady power that has worked for generations.
The dam lies on the Negro River between the departments of Durazno and Río Negro, 307 km from the river mouth and 266 km from Montevideo, reached via Route 5 and then Route 4. The deck carries a roadway bordered by concrete posts, with a raised gate structure near its right end. No guided tours of the plant are offered.
The reservoir behind the dam holds a large amount of water that allows steady power production throughout the year. This natural storage means the plant can operate smoothly even when river flow changes with the seasons.
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