Stânca-Costești Dam, Hydroelectric dam at Moldova-Romania border.
Stânca-Costești is a hydroelectric facility spanning the Prut River between Moldova and Romania, where a concrete structure holds back the water to generate power. The installation includes a reservoir that stores water and serves multiple purposes for both countries.
The structure came from a 1972 agreement between Romania and the Soviet Union, with construction finished in 1978 following destructive floods that had hit the region in earlier years. The project addressed the need to prevent flood damage and make the river water useful for both sides.
The dam marks a meeting point between Romanian and Moldovan territories, symbolizing decades of international cooperation in managing shared water resources. For people in the region, it represents how two countries work together to handle a vital natural feature.
The site is accessible on foot and offers views of the river and the cross-border structure from several vantage points. Visitors should keep in mind that this is a border area, so some sections may have access limitations.
The facility operates simultaneously as a power plant, bridge, and border checkpoint between two countries, an unusual combination of functions in one place. This makes it far more than just an energy installation - it is a working example of how two nations share infrastructure.
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