Official name Presa Zimapán Status Operational Impounds Moctezuma River Opened 1993 Construction began 1990 | Country Mexico Opening date 1993 Height 203 m (666 ft) Surface area 22.9 km² Impound Moctezuma River | |
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Address Unnamed, Parque Miguel Hidalgo Road, Mexico Owner Federal Electricity Commission Similar Campamento La Isla Tzibanzá, La Yesca Dam, Infiernillo Dam, Angostura Dam, Aguamilpa Dam | ||
Hidalgo mexico
The Zimapán Dam, also known as Fernando Hiriart Balderrama Dam, is an arch dam on the Moctezuma River about 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Zimapán in Hidalgo state, Mexico. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and it services a 292 MW power station with water.
Contents
BackgroundEdit
The dam was funded in part by a $460 million World Bank loan which was approved on 8 June 1989 and covered the Mexico Hydroelectric Development Project which included the Aguamilpa Dam as well. Mexico raised $250 in foreign capital as well. Construction on the dam began in 1990 and was complete in 1993. Beginning in 1994, the reservoir filled and the power station was operational by 1995. Approximately 3,000 people were displaced and resettled by the construction of both dams in the Mexico Hydroelectric Development Project.
DesignEdit
The dam is a 203 m (666 ft) tall and 122 m (400 ft) long arch-type located in a narrow portion of the Moctezuma Canyon. The crest of the dam is 5 m (16 ft) wide while the base has a width of 22 m (72 ft). The reservoir created by the dam has a capacity of 1,390,000,000 m3 (1,126,891 acre·ft) and surface area of 22.9 km2 (9 sq mi). The reservoir is formed by the Tula and San Juan Rivers which join in the reservoir to form the Moctezuma River later downstream of the dam. Water from the reservoir is diverted through a 21 km (13 mi) tunnel, bypassing 42 km (26 mi) of the river downstream, before reaching the power station. Water at the power station powers two Pelton turbine-generators before being discharged back into the Moctezuma River. When both turbines are operating, the power station discharges a maximum of 59 m3/s (2,084 cu ft/s). It operates as a peak power plant, operating 4 to 12 hours a day depending on energy demands.