The Los Reyunos Dam is an embankment dam on the Diamante River, in central Mendoza Province, Argentina, some twenty-two miles (thirty-five kilometers) from the city of San Rafael. The dam, built of stone and compacted clay to minimize execution and cost, is 440 feet (130 meters) high and contains a reservoir covering an area of 1,828 acres (7.40 km2).[1]

Los Reyunos Dam
View from atop the dam
Los Reyunos Dam is located in Argentina
Los Reyunos Dam
Location of Los Reyunos Dam in Argentina
CountryArgentina
LocationSan Rafael, Mendoza Province
Coordinates34°36′8.45″S 68°38′30.06″W / 34.6023472°S 68.6416833°W / -34.6023472; -68.6416833
PurposePower, water supply
StatusOperational
Opening date1983; 41 years ago (1983)
Owner(s)Hirdroeléctrica Diamante (HIDISA)/Hidroeléctrica de los Nihuiles (HINISA)
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment
ImpoundsDiamante River
Height136 m (446 ft)
Length295 m (968 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity258,570,000 m3 (209,630 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity137,280,000 m3 (111,290 acre⋅ft)
Surface area7.34 km2 (2.83 sq mi)
Commission date1983
TypePumped-storage
Turbines2 x 112 MW reversible Francis-type
Installed capacity224 MW

The dam is used to generate hydroelectricity. This is done with a pumped-storage power station located below the level of the reservoir. About one mile (two kilometer) downstream is a smaller, compensation dam, which forms the lower reservoir, called El Tigre. During the hours of decreased power demand, water is pumped from the reservoir of El Tigre back into Los Reyunos to stabilize the water level.

The reservoir is employed in raising Salmonidae and silverside, allowing for sport fishing. Los Reyunos Fishing and Nautical Club, along with private summer residences and a hotel, lies on the western shore of the reservoir and serves as a base for activities in the lake (such as windsurf, canoeing) and in the surrounding mountains (such as hiking).

References

edit
  1. ^ "Los Reyunos PS Hydroelectric Power Plant". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved 19 May 2014.