Péligre Dam, Gravity dam in Centre, Haiti
Péligre Dam is a concrete gravity structure on the Artibonite River that holds back water and generates electricity for the nation. The facility uses three large turbines to convert flowing water into power that reaches communities throughout Haiti.
The United States designed and built this facility in the 1950s as part of a development plan for the Artibonite Valley. This hydroelectric project allowed Haiti to generate its own electricity and supported agricultural development in the region.
The dam represented progress for the nation, yet its creation uprooted farming families and reshaped how communities along the river valley lived and worked. Local people still feel the effects of these changes in their daily lives and their connection to the land.
The structure is visible from nearby roads, but access to the dam itself is restricted for safety reasons. Visitors can view the facility from designated areas and explore the landscape around the reservoir from afar.
Over decades, sediment from the river has accumulated in the reservoir, significantly reducing how much water it can hold today. This gradual silting demonstrates how even large engineering projects eventually lose capacity as nature continuously reshapes the landscape.
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