Lam Takhong Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Lam Takhong River in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The structure creates a reservoir that forms part of the country's water‑resource management system, providing water for irrigation, municipal supply, and supporting a pumped‑storage hydroelectric facility.
Location
- River: Lam Takhong River, a tributary of the Mun River basin.
- Province: Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), northeastern Thailand.
- Coordinates: Approximately 14°58′N 102°13′E (exact coordinates may vary among sources).
Physical Description
- Dam type: Concrete gravity dam.
- Primary functions: Water storage for irrigation, municipal water supply (including partial supply to the Greater Bangkok area), and regulation of flow for the downstream Lam Takhong Pumped Storage Power Plant.
- Reservoir: Known as the Lam Takhong Reservoir, it occupies a surface area of several square kilometres; precise measurements differ between reports.
Purpose and Operations
Water Supply and Irrigation
The reservoir supplies water for agricultural irrigation in the surrounding region and contributes to domestic water supply networks, notably supporting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s water‑intake scheme.
Pumped‑Storage Hydroelectric Power
The dam serves as the lower reservoir for the Lam Takhong Pumped‑Storage Power Plant, one of Thailand’s largest pumped‑storage facilities. The plant includes:
- Installed capacity: 720 MW, arranged as two reversible pump‑turbine units each rated at 360 MW.
- Operational principle: During periods of low electricity demand, water is pumped from the lower reservoir (the Lam Takhong Reservoir) to an upper reservoir created by an auxiliary impoundment. During peak demand, the water is released back through the turbines, generating electricity.
- Commissioning: The plant entered commercial operation in the early 2000s; specific commissioning dates are recorded as 2002 for the first unit, with the second unit becoming operational shortly thereafter.
History
- Construction: Initiated in the late 1990s as part of Thailand’s broader initiative to increase renewable energy capacity and improve water resource management.
- Completion: The dam structure was completed by the early 2000s, coinciding with the commissioning of the pumped‑storage plant.
- Management: Operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in conjunction with the Royal Irrigation Department, which oversees water resource allocation.
Environmental and Social Aspects
- Environmental impact assessments were conducted prior to construction, addressing concerns such as habitat disruption, sedimentation, and water quality. Mitigation measures included reforestation programs and the creation of fish passages where feasible.
- Resettlement: Limited population displacement occurred in the reservoir’s catchment area; affected residents received compensation and relocation assistance according to Thai government policies.
See Also
- Pumped‑storage hydroelectricity – a method of energy storage using two water reservoirs at different elevations.
- List of dams and reservoirs in Thailand – includes other major water‑management structures such as the Bhumibol Dam and the Sirikit Dam.
References
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) annual reports, 2002–2023.
- Royal Irrigation Department publications on water‑resource projects in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
- Academic studies on Thailand’s pumped‑storage facilities published in Renewable Energy and Water Resources journals.
Note: Specific numerical details (e.g., exact dam height, reservoir capacity) vary among sources; where precise data are unavailable, the description is limited to verified functional and operational aspects.