The Srinagarind Dam (''also known as the'' Srinakarin Dam; , , ) is an

embankment dam An embankment dam is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil or rock. It has a semi-pervious waterproof natural covering for its surface ...

on the

Khwae Yai River The Khwae Yai River (, , ), also known as the Si Sawat ( ), is a river in western Thailand. It has its source in the Tenasserim Hills and flows for about through Sangkhla Buri, Si Sawat, and Mueang Districts of Kanchanaburi Province, where ...

in Si Sawat District of

Kanchanaburi Province Kanchanaburi (, ) is the largest of the western Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. The neighboring provinces are (clockwise, from the north) Tak province, Tak, Uthai Thani province, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri province, Sup ...

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

. The purposes of the dam are river regulation and hydroelectric power generation. The dam's power station has a capacity of which is

pumped storage Pumping may refer to: * The operation of a pump, for moving a liquid from one location to another **The use of a breast pump A breast pump is a mechanical device that Lactation, lactating women use to milking, extract milk from their breasts. They ...

. The dam was named after Princess

Srinagarindra Princess Srinagarindra (; ; 21 October 1900 – 18 July 1995) born Sangwan Talapat (; ) was a member of the Royal Thai Family. She was part of the House of Mahidol, which is descended from the Chakri dynasty and was founded by Prince Mahidol ...

Background

Feasibility studies for the dam were carried out between May 1967 and May 1969 and designs from September 1970 to December 1977. Construction began in 1974 and it was completed in 1980. The first of the dam's generators was commissioned in 1980 and the last in 1991. The original cost of the dam was estimated to be US$45 million but because the dam was constructed on a fault line, the dam's foundation had to be reinforced which raised the cost to US$114 million.

Design

The Srinagarind Dam is a tall and long embankment dam. It contains a reservoir with a capacity of . The dam's power station has an installed capacity of 720 MW and contains three

Francis turbine The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts. Francis turbines are the most common water turbine in use today, and can achieve over 95% efficiency. The pro ...

s and two 180 MW Francis pump-turbines. The pump-turbines serve the dam's pumped-storage capability and generate electricity during peak hours. In off-peak hours, the pump turbines return water from the lower reservoir back into the upper reservoir.

References

{{reflist Dams completed in 1980 Energy infrastructure completed in 1980 Energy infrastructure completed in 1991 Dams in Thailand Pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations in Thailand Embankment dams Buildings and structures in Kanchanaburi province 1980 establishments in Thailand

Background

Design

See also

References