Ermenek Dam

Ermenek Dam is a hydroelectric power plant (HES) dam located on the Ermenek Creek, a tributary of the Göksu River, at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains in the Ermenek district of Karaman Province, Türkiye.

Ermenek Dam (Culture Portal)

Technical and Structural Features

Ermenek Dam has been constructed as a double-curvature thin arch concrete structure. Its height from the riverbed is 218 metres. With this height, it ranks as the sixth highest dam in Europe and the twenty-sixth highest in the world, and is also considered one of Türkiye’s tallest dams.

The normal water level volume of the dam reservoir is 4,583 hm³ (approximately 4.58 billion m³), making it the fourth largest reservoir in Türkiye by capacity. The surface area of the lake is approximately 61.45 km².

Due to the extremely challenging geographical and geological conditions affecting access to the valley where the dam body was to be constructed, special engineering methods were employed during construction, including the aerial transport of construction machinery via a cable crane system. This made the dam technically one of Türkiye’s most complex projects.

Ermenek Dam Lake (Anadolu Agency)

Energy Production and Economic Contributions

Ermenek Dam and its Hydroelectric Power Plant (HES) have an installed capacity of 302.4 MW. Energy production is achieved through two vertical Francis turbines. Water impoundment at the dam began on 10 August 2009, and the facility was officially commissioned on 27 December 2009. Actual electricity generation commenced on 14 September 2012.

The plant’s average annual electricity generation capacity is 1,187 GWh. Since its commissioning, the electricity it has produced has made significant contributions to the national economy.

Ermenek Dam Lake (Anadolu Agency)

Usage and Tourism Potential

Ermenek Dam Lake offers a suitable area for various tourism and recreational activities due to its extensive water surface and surrounding natural beauty. Activities such as water sports (rafting, scuba diving, surfing) and boat tours are possible in the region. The dam’s location also provides panoramic views of the Taurus Mountains.