Vidraru Dam, Arch dam in Argeș County, Romania.
Vidraru Dam is an arch structure of concrete that spans the Argeș River between the Frunții and Ghițu Mountains. It holds back water to create a large reservoir in the mountain valley.
Construction took place between 1960 and 1966 as a major project to supply electricity to the region. The building work represented a significant engineering undertaking that transformed the river valley.
A steel statue of Prometheus stands near the structure, created by sculptor Constantin Popovici as a symbol of electrical power. The monument reflects how the engineering feat became part of local identity and meaning.
The site is surrounded by mountains and best visited during daylight to see the structure and landscape clearly. Viewing points offer different perspectives of the dam and reservoir, and sturdy footwear is recommended for walking on uneven terrain.
The power plant sits more than 100 meters underground, hidden beneath the surface while water flows down from above to generate electricity. This underground placement allowed the landscape above to remain largely unaltered.
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