Mancotal Dam Explained

Mancotal Dam
Name Official:Presa Mancotal
Location Map:Nicaragua
Coordinates:13.245°N -85.9019°W
Country:Nicaragua
Location:Asturias, Jinotega Department
Purpose:Power
Status:O
Owner:Empresa Nicaragüense de Electricidad (ENEL)
Dam Type:Embankment
Dam Crosses:Tuma River
Res Name:Lake Apanás
Plant Name:Centro América Plant
Plant Coordinates:13.1067°N -86.0514°W
Plant Commission:1964-1965
Plant Turbines:2 x 25 MW Francis-type
Plant Capacity:50 MW

The Mancotal Dam is an embankment dam on the Tuma River near Asturias in Jinotega Department, Nicaragua. It forms Lake Apanás, the largest reservoir in the country. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports the 50 MW Centro América Plant. The dam was completed and its first generator commissioned in 1964. The second generator was commissioned a year later on 18 March 1965. To generate power, water from the southwestern end of the Lake Apanás flows along a long channel before it enters a series of headrace pipes and a penstock. About to the south west the penstock meets Centro América Plant where it turns two 25 MW Francis turbines. After generating power the water is then discharged into the Viejo River.[1] To supplement levels in the Lake Apanás, the El Dorado Dam was completed in 1985 and forms Lake Asturias just downstream of the Mancotal Dam. Water from Lake Asturias can be pumped into Lake Apanás. In 1998 heavy rains from Hurricane Mitch severely damaged the Mancotal and El Dorado Dams, over-topping their spillways and nearly destroying the dams. The Virgen Dam downstream on the Viejo River was destroyed but later rebuilt.[2] [3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hydro . Empresa Nicaragüense de Electricidad (ENEL) . 29 April 2014 . Spanish.
  2. Book: Moon Nicaragua . Avalon Travel . 5 October 2010 . 29 April 2014 . Wood, Randall . 9781598808414 .
  3. Web site: Aquastat - Dams in Nicaragua . UNFAO . 29 April 2014.