Amistad Dam, Hydroelectric power station at Rio Grande border, United States and Mexico.
Amistad Dam is a hydroelectric structure on the Rio Grande border between the United States and Mexico, built with concrete gravity cores and earth embankments. The installation spans about 3 kilometers and creates a large water reservoir that both nations share.
The project started in 1963 as part of an international water-sharing agreement between the two nations. In 1969, US President Richard Nixon and Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz formally dedicated the completed facility.
The name means 'friendship' in Spanish and reflects the cross-border cooperation that emerged during construction. Both nations today share control of this reservoir and use it to meet irrigation and power needs.
Visiting the dam requires preparation for hot, dry climate and limited shade at public viewing areas. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, especially during warmer months.
Archaeologists documented roughly 170 indigenous sites with rock art and artifacts before the reservoir flooded the landscape. This rescue archaeology effort showed the area's significance for the region's original inhabitants.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
