Amir Kabir Dam

The Amir Kabir Dam ( Persian سد امیر کبیر ), which is also known as " Sadd -e Karaj ", is a large dam on the river Karaj ( Karaj ) northwest of Tehran in Iran. It is named after the former Iranian Prime Minister Amir Kabir.

Method of construction

The arch dam, the dam is 180 m high and curved twice. The preliminary concept for the construction of the dam date back to the time of Reza Shah Pahlavi. However, it should then last until 1952 until the first concrete plans were tackled. As part of the Point IV program, the first plans were drawn.

In 1956, the consent procedure was initiated and started the construction work by the U.S. company Morrison Knudsen. Morrison - Knudsen was one of the largest construction companies in the world and had built the Hoover Dam in the United States from 1931 to 1935. Construction ran without interruption in three shifts, 24 hours a day. More than 2,000 workers, technicians and engineers involved in the construction. On February 24, 1963, the dam of their provision was passed. The financing of the construction work was carried out entirely from the oil revenue of the national NIOC.

The dam serves several purposes, including hydropower production and drinking water supply of the city of Tehran as well as the power supply of the city. In addition, the reservoir is a popular excursion destination in the summer and there are facilities for water sports such as boating and water skiing.

On 20 June 1990, the dam was at a magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale ( the so-called Manjil Earthquake ) damaged 7.3. In an area about 18 m below the crest caused many cracks. Between 4 March and 4 July 1991, the dam was repaired and reinforced with rock bolts. The earthquake also located near Manjil Dam was affected.

The Amir Kabir dam is pictured on the back of the Iranian Rial 20 - bill of 1970.

Pictures of the construction of the dam

Preparatory work for the installation of the turbine pipes

Concrete work

Progress of work in 1960