Studen Kladenets

Studen Kladenets
Studen Kladenets Dam
Coordinates	41°37′N 25°39′E
Lake type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Arda, Varbitsa River
Primary outflows	Arda
Catchment area	3707 km²
Basin countries	Bulgaria
Max. length	29 km
Surface area	27.8 km²
Water volume	489,000,000 m3 (1.73×1010 cu ft)
Surface elevation	227 m

The Studen Kladenets Reservoir (язовир „Студен кладенец“) is the second largest reservoir in Bulgaria. It is situated on the river Arda, and is created behind the Studen Kladenets dam, 30 km south-east of the town of Kardzhali. There are another two dams of the Arda - Kardzhali Dam to the west (upstream) and Ivaylovgrad Dam to the east (downstream).

The reservoir has a total volume of 489 million m³ and a drainage basin of 3,706 km² and is 29 km long. It is situated at an average 227 m above sea level, its dam being 338 m long and 67.5 m high. The top of the dam consists of nine spillways, each one being 10.5 by 5 m. "Studen Kladenets" Hydroelectric Power Plant is situated appr. 1 km downstream of the dam. The HPP has four Francis-type turbines, 15 MW each. There is undergoing project for reconstruction and upgrading the HPP with another 16 MW turbine and a smaller eco-turbine and after the completion of the project the total output will reach 85 MW with annual production of 165 GWh of electricity.

Studen Kladenets reservoir is an attractive place for fishermen, where rudd is caught in great numbers. Studen Kladenets is Bulgarian for "a cold well".

History

The initial plans for the construction of a dam on the Arda date to as early as 1948. Construction began in 1955 and was completed in 1957. The HPP started production in 1958.

External links

• Media related to Studen Kladenets Dam at Wikimedia Commons
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