| Zimapán Dam | |
| Name Official: | Presa Zimapán |
| Location Map: | Mexico |
| Coordinates: | 20.6633°N -99.5008°W |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Status: | O |
| Construction Began: | 1990 |
| Opening: | 1993 |
| Owner: | Federal Electricity Commission |
| Dam Height: | 2030NaN0 |
| Dam Length: | 1220NaN0 |
| Dam Width Crest: | 50NaN0 |
| Dam Width Base: | 220NaN0 |
| Dam Crosses: | Moctezuma River |
| Res Capacity Inactive: | 1390000000m2 |
| Res Surface: | 22.90NaN0 |
| Plant Name: | Zimapán Power Station |
| Plant Coordinates: | 20.8475°N -99.4586°W |
| Plant Commission: | 1995 |
| Plant Turbines: | 2 x 146 MW Pelton turbines |
| Plant Capacity: | 292 MW |
| Plant Annual Gen: | 1,064 GWh |
The Zimapán Dam, also known as Fernando Hiriart Balderrama Dam, is an arch dam on the Moctezuma River about 150NaN0 southwest of Zimapán in Hidalgo state, Mexico. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and it services a 292 MW power station with water.
The dam was funded in part by a $460 million World Bank loan which was approved on 8 June 1989 and covered the Mexico Hydroelectric Development Project which included the Aguamilpa Dam as well. Mexico raised $250 million in foreign capital as well.[1] Construction on the dam began in 1990 and was complete in 1993. Beginning in 1994, the reservoir filled and the power station was operational by 1995. Approximately 3,000 people were displaced and resettled by the construction of both dams in the Mexico Hydroelectric Development Project.[2]
The dam is a 2030NaN0 tall and 1220NaN0 long arch-type located in a narrow portion of the Moctezuma Canyon. The crest of the dam is 50NaN0 wide while the base has a width of 220NaN0. The reservoir created by the dam has a capacity of 1390000000m2 and surface area of 22.90NaN0. The reservoir is formed by the Tula and San Juan rivers which join in the reservoir to form the Moctezuma River later downstream of the dam. Water from the reservoir is diverted through a 210NaN0 tunnel, bypassing 420NaN0 of the river downstream, before reaching the power station. Water at the power station powers two Pelton turbine-generators before being discharged back into the Moctezuma River. When both turbines are operating, the power station discharges a maximum of 590NaN0. It operates as a peak power plant, operating 4 to 12 hours a day depending on energy demands.[3] [4]