Definition
Kedung Ombo Dam (Indonesian: Bendungan Kedung Ombo) is a multi‑purpose embankment dam situated in Central Java, Indonesia. It impounds the Bogowonto River to create the Kedung Ombo Reservoir, serving irrigation, flood control, water supply, and hydro‑electric power generation.
Overview
The dam is located on the border of the regencies of Kebumen and Purwodadi, near the village of Kedung Ombo. Construction began in the mid‑1980s and was completed in the early 1990s, under the auspices of Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing. The reservoir supplies water for extensive agricultural areas in the surrounding lowlands and assists in mitigating seasonal flooding downstream. A hydro‑electric plant attached to the dam provides a modest amount of renewable electricity to the regional grid.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Kedung Ombo” combines two Javanese terms: kedung, meaning “deep pool” or “basin,” and ombo, which is a local toponym referring to the specific area where the dam was constructed. Thus the name can be interpreted as “the deep basin of Ombo.”
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dam type | Earth‑fill embankment |
| Height | Approximately 58 m (accurate information is not confirmed) |
| Length | About 1,200 m (accurate information is not confirmed) |
| Reservoir capacity | Roughly 1.5 billion m³ of water (accurate information is not confirmed) |
| Surface area of reservoir | Around 43 km² (accurate information is not confirmed) |
| Primary purposes | Irrigation, flood control, water supply, hydro‑electric power |
| Hydro‑electric capacity | Approximately 16–20 MW installed capacity (accurate information is not confirmed) |
| Spillway | Controlled overflow spillway with gated sections |
| Operator | Ministry of Public Works and Housing (Indonesia) |
Related Topics
- Bogowonto River – the main river impounded by the dam.
- Irrigation in Central Java – the network of canals and fields fed by the Kedung Ombo Reservoir.
- Other major Indonesian dams – such as Jatiluhur Dam, Bili‑Bili Dam, and Gintung Dam.
- Renewable energy in Indonesia – hydro‑electric installations contributing to the national energy mix.
- Ministry of Public Works and Housing (Indonesia) – the governmental body responsible for dam construction and management.