Amistad Dam

The Amistad Dam ( Amistad Dam) is a dam on the Rio Grande, it lies on the border between the U.S. and Mexico at the confluence of the Rio Grande with the Devils River, 19 km north-west of Del Rio, Texas. The name Amistad in Spanish means "friendship".

Dam and power plants

The construction of the dam was agreed in a contract between the U.S. and Mexico in 1944 and lasted from 1963 until 1969. Hydropower plant has been in operation since the 1980s. The project cost approximately 72 million U.S. dollars, which took over Mexico 4/7 and the USA 3 / seventh The dam is about nine miles long and lies for the most part on Mexican territory. Electricity generation in two power plants of which each one is operated by the United States and Mexico.

Reservoir

The reservoir ( Lake Amistad Amistad reservoir or ) is used for irrigation, flood control, electricity generation and recreation. The plant is operated by the " International Boundary and Water Commission ." On the lake is bordered on the American side of the Val Verde County and on the Mexican side of the state of Coahuila.

Recreational use

Rocky Beach at Lake Amistad west of Del Rio, Texas

Bridge over Lake Amistad

At the reservoir is located on the U.S. side, the recreational area " Amistad National Recreation Area ". There are a variety of recreational opportunities.