Nurek Dam (tallest embankment dam)
Presa de Nurek (presa de materiales sueltos más alta)
- Date
- 1961-1980 · confidence high
- Place
- Nurek, Khatlon, Tajikistan
- Credited to
- Soviet engineers (Hydroproject)
- Field
- Tools
What it is
An earth and rock-fill dam with a clay core, about 300 m high, on the Vakhsh River, the tallest in the world when completed. It is the tallest completed embankment dam, pending the completion of Rogun.
Works lasted from 1961 to 1980, with the first turbines in 1972. The height (300 m, formerly 304 m) varies by source; Rogun Dam (335 m under construction) will surpass it.
What it led to
- hydroelectric output covering much of Tajikistan's electricity
- irrigation of the Vakhsh and Amu Darya lowlands
- seismic engineering in a highly active zone