| Karun-3 Dam | |
| Name Official: | Persian: سد کارون ۳ |
| Dam Crosses: | Karun River |
| Location: | Khuzestan, Iran |
| Dam Type: | Arch dam |
| Dam Length: | 4620NaN0 |
| Dam Height: | 2050NaN0 |
| Dam Width Base: | 29.50NaN0 |
| Spillway Capacity: | 15000m3/s |
| Opening: | 2005 |
| Operator: | IWPRDC |
| Res Capacity Total: | 2970000000m2 |
| Res Surface: | 480NaN0 |
| Plant Turbines: | 8 x 285 MW Francis-type |
| Plant Capacity: | 2,280 MW[1] |
| Plant Annual Gen: | 4,137 GWh |
| Plant Commission: | 2005-2006 |
| Location Map: | Iran |
| Coordinates: | 31.8022°N 50.095°W |
The Karun-3 dam (Persian: سد کارون ۳) is a hydroelectric dam on the Karun river located in the province of Khuzestan, Iran. It was built to help meet Iran's energy demands as well as provide seasonal flood control.[2] The Karun river has the highest discharge slits and seasonal flooding in Iran.[3]
The Karun-3 power generators are connected to the national power grid. With peak power generation at,[4] average annual electric power generation is . The dam has one of the largest generator capacities in Iran which help the electric power shortage during peak demand in the summer.
This dam is of concrete double arch type. It is 2050NaN0 high from the foundation and 1850NaN0 high from the river bed. The foundation width is 29.50NaN0.[5]
The arch dam design is ideal for this location which has a narrow, rocky gorge behind the water reservoir. Moreover, because of its arch shape, the force of the reservoir water presses downward against the dam which strengthens the dam foundation.[6]