Kargı Dam

The Kargı Dam is a concrete gravity dam located on the Çoruh River in Yusufeli district, Artvin Province, Turkey. Its primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation. Construction began in 2015 and the dam became operational in 2023. The dam is part of the larger Çoruh River Development Project, which aims to harness the river's significant hydroelectric potential. The installed capacity of the Kargı Dam hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) is 450 MW, and it is expected to generate approximately 1.43 billion kWh of electricity annually. The reservoir created by the dam has also led to the relocation of several villages, including the town of Yusufeli. The environmental and social impacts of the Kargı Dam have been a subject of debate, with concerns raised about the displacement of communities and the alteration of the river ecosystem. The dam is operated by the Turkish State Hydraulic Works (DSI).