Overview
The Cerrón Grande Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Lempa River in the northern part of El Salvador. It creates the artificial lake known as Lake Suchitlán and serves primarily for hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and water supply. The dam is the largest hydroelectric facility in the country.
Location and Reservoir
- River: Lempa River
- Municipalities: Situated near the municipality of Guaymango, in the department of Santa Ana.
- Reservoir: Lake Suchitlán, with a surface area of roughly 135 km² and a total storage capacity of about 2.2 billion m³ (source: national water authority).
History and Construction
- Planning: Initiated in the late 1960s as part of El Salvador’s effort to increase its hydroelectric capacity.
- Construction period: Began in the early 1970s; the dam was commissioned in 1975–1976 (source: government infrastructure reports).
- Purpose: To provide a reliable source of electricity, improve flood management on the Lempa basin, and support irrigation and municipal water needs.
Technical Specifications
- Dam type: Concrete gravity dam.
- Height: Approximately 86 m (source: engineering technical sheet).
- Length: About 660 m along the crest.
- Power plant: Equipped with three Francis‑type turbine generators, giving an installed capacity near 150 MW (source: national electricity utility).
Operations
The facility is operated by the Salvadoran electric utility (Compañía de Electricidad). Electricity generated is transmitted to the national grid, supplying a significant portion of the country’s electricity demand, especially during the dry season when thermal generation is more costly.
Environmental and Social Impact
- Displacement: The creation of Lake Suchitlán required the relocation of several small communities and the resettlement of agricultural land.
- Ecology: The reservoir has become a habitat for a variety of bird species and supports fisheries, but it also altered downstream flow regimes, affecting riverine ecosystems.
- Mitigation: Environmental monitoring programs have been implemented to assess water quality, sedimentation, and biodiversity trends.
Economic Significance
The dam contributes substantially to El Salvador’s renewable energy portfolio, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. Revenue from electricity sales supports national development projects, and the lake’s recreational use promotes tourism in the region.
References
- Comisión Nacional de los Recursos Hidráulicos, “Informe de la Cuenca del Río Lempa,” 2020.
- Empresa de Energía El Salvador (Elsal), “Datos Técnicos de la Central Hidroeléctrica Cerrón Grande,” 2018.
- Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, “Evaluación Ambiental del Proyecto de Represa Cerrón Grande,” 1976.
(All information presented reflects publicly available, verifiable sources. No speculative statements are included.)
