Maoergai Dam

The Maoergai Dam is a rock-filled embankment dam on the Heishui River in Mao County of Sichuan Province, China. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and it supports a 420 MW power station. Preliminary construction (roads, bridges and foundation) for the dam began in 2006 while construction on the dam and power station commenced in 2008. The generators were commissioned in 2011.[1] To produce power, water from the reservoir is diverted to a power station downstream through a 16.15 km (10.04 mi) long headrace tunnel and penstock. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a hydraulic head (water drop) of 168 m (551 ft). The dam sits just below the headwaters of the Heishui and water discharged through its power station regulates the flow of water for smaller power stations downstream.[2][3]

Maoergai Dam
Location of Maoergai Dam in China
Country	China
Location	Mao County, Ngawa Prefecture, Sichuan
Coordinates	32°4′23.03″N 103°13′44.56″E
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	2006
Opening date	2011 (2011)
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment, rock-fill
Impounds	Heishui River
Height	147 m (482 ft)
Elevation at crest	2,138 m (7,014 ft)
Width (crest)	12 m (39 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	535,000,000 m3 (434,000 acre⋅ft)
Maoergai Hydropower Station
Coordinates	31°58′54.90″N 103°20′7.69″E
Commission date	2011
Type	Conventional
Hydraulic head	168 m (551 ft)
Turbines	3 x 140 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	420 MW