| Craig Goch Dam | |
| Location Map: | Wales |
| Location Map Size: | , |
| Location Map Caption: | Location of dam in Wales |
| Coordinates: | 52.3047°N -3.6239°W |
| Construction Began: | 1897 |
| Opening: | 1904 |
| Dam Height: | 1200NaN0 |
| Dam Length: | 3900NaN0 |
| Dam Width Base: | 1040NaN0 |
| Dam Volume: | 800000NaN0 |
| Res Name: | Craig Goch Reservoir |
| Res Capacity Total: | 61370NaN0 |
| Res Surface: | 2170NaN0 |
| Plant Commission: | 1997 |
| Plant Turbines: | 1 x Francis-type |
| Plant Capacity: | 480 kW |
The Craig Goch Dam, often called the Top dam, is a masonry dam in the Elan Valley of Wales and creates the upper-most of the Elan Valley Reservoirs. Construction on the dam began in 1897, and it was completed in 1904. The primary purpose of the dam and the other reservoirs is to supply Birmingham with water.[1] [2] In 1997, a 480 kW hydroelectric generator began operation at the dam.[3] [4]
The Craig Goch reservoir had been identified in the 1970s and in the 1990s as a potential source of water for the south-east of England.[5] The latest project envisaged raising the existing dam, adding a secondary dam at the head of the River Ystwyth valley and piping water from the high head generated into the River Severn and subsequently transferring it by pipeline aqueduct to the head-waters of the River Thames in the Cotswolds.[5]
Craig Goch Dam was featured prominently in Episode 3 Series 3 of BBC Wales drama series Hinterland, broadcast 2017.