| Gura Apelor Dam | |
| Location Map: | Romania |
| Coordinates: | 45.3392°N 22.7217°W |
| Country: | Romania |
| Location: | Hațeg, Hunedoara County |
| Purpose: | Power |
| Status: | Complete, under repair |
| Construction Began: | 1975 |
| Owner: | S.C. Hidroelectrica S.A. |
| Dam Type: | Embankment, rock-fill |
| Dam Crosses: | Râul Mare |
| Dam Length: | 464m (1,522feet) |
| Dam Height: | 168m (551feet) |
| Dam Width Crest: | 12m (39feet) |
| Dam Width Base: | 574m (1,883feet) |
| Dam Volume: | 10285000m2 |
| Res Capacity Total: | 225000000m2 |
| Res Catchment: | 235km2 |
| Res Max Depth: | 162m (531feet) |
| Plant Name: | Râul Mare Hydroelectric Power Station |
| Plant Coordinates: | 45.4788°N 22.824°W |
| Plant Commission: | 1986 |
| Plant Turbines: | 2 x 167.5 MW |
| Plant Hydraulic Head: | 582.5m (1,911.1feet) |
| Plant Capacity: | 335 MW |
The Gura Apelor Dam is a rock-fill dam on the river Râul Mare about 35km (22miles) southwest of Hațeg in Hunedoara County, Romania. It is fed by the Râul Mare and its tributaries Lăpușnicul Mic and Șes.[1] It is the tallest dam in Romania. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports the 335 MW Râul Mare Hydroelectric Power Station which is located underground about 18km (11miles) to the northeast. Water from the reservoir is piped the long distance from the dam to the power station. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and the power station downstream affords a hydraulic head of 582.5m (1,911.1feet). Construction on the dam began in 1975 and the power station was operational in 1986.[2] In 2012 the dam's reservoir was drained for repairs. It is expected to be impounded again in 2014.[3]