Kainji Dam
| Kainji Dam | |
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| Location | Kainji, Nigeria |
| Coordinates | 09°51′45″N 04°36′48″E / 9.8625°N 4.61333°ECoordinates: 09°51′45″N 04°36′48″E / 9.8625°N 4.61333°E |
| Construction began | 1964 |
| Opening date | 1968 |
| Construction cost | $209 million |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Length | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Impounds | Niger River |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Kainji Lake |
| Power station | |
| Commission date | 1968 |
| Turbines | 8 |
| Installed capacity | 760 MW |
| Maximum capacity | 960 MW |
Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in western Nigeria. Construction of the dam began in 1964 and was completed in 1968. The total cost was estimated at $209 million, with one-quarter of this amount used to resettle people displaced by the construction of the dam and its reservoir, Kainji Lake. The dam is one of the longest dams in the world.
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[edit] Dimensions
Kainji Dam extends for about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), including its saddle dam, which closes off a tributary valley. Most of the structure is made from earth, but the centre section, housing the hydroelectric turbines, was built from concrete. This section is 65 metres (213 ft) high.
[edit] Capacity
The dam was designed to have a generating capacity of 960 Megawatts; however, only 8 of its 12 turbines have been installed, reducing the capacity to 760 Megawatts. The dam generates electricity for all the large cities in Nigeria. Some of the electricity is sold to the neighbouring country of Niger. In addition, occasional droughts have made the Niger's water flow unpredictable, diminishing the dam's electrical output. The dam has a single-lock chamber capable of lifting barges 49 metres (161 ft).
[edit] Lake Kainji
Kainji Lake measures about 135 kilometres (84 mi) long and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) at its widest point, and supplies a local fishing industry. In 1999, uncoordinated opening of floodgates led to local flooding of about 60 villages.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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