Mingachevir reservoir

Mingachevir Reservoir
Mingachevir Reservoir from space
Location	Mingachevir
Coordinates	40°47′20″N 47°01′40″E / 40.78889°N 47.02778°E / 40.78889; 47.02778Coordinates: 40°47′20″N 47°01′40″E / 40.78889°N 47.02778°E / 40.78889; 47.02778
Lake type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Kura River
Primary outflows	Kura River
Basin countries	Azerbaijan
Max. length	70 km (43 mi)
Max. width	18 km (11 mi)
Surface area	605 km2 (234 sq mi)
Average depth	26 m (85 ft)
Max. depth	75 m (246 ft)
Water volume	15730 mln m³
Shore length1	247 km (153 mi)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The Mingachevir reservoir (Azerbaijani: Mingəçevir su anbarı) is a large lake in northwestern Azerbaijan. It is the largest reservoir in the Caucasus.^[1]

Overview

The reservoir was built on a section of Kura River flowing through Mount Bozdağ in 1953.^[2] The filling capacity of the reservoir is 83 m (272 ft) whereas the volume is 15730 mln m³. It has been filled to its maximum levels in 1959, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988 and 2010.^[3] The length is 70 km (43 mi) and width is 18 m (59 ft). Maximum depth is 75 m (246 ft), average depth - 26 m (85 ft). The length along the shoreline is 247 km (153 mi), the overall area is 605 km² (234 sq mi).^[4][5] The largest hydroelectric power station of Azerbaijan is located on the reservoir. Mingechevir Hydro Power Plant has an installed electric capacity of 401.6 megawatts.^[6] The length of the hydroelectric dam is 1,550 m (5,090 ft), its width is 16 m (52 ft) and height is 80 m (260 ft).^[4]

The reservoir supplies water to Upper Karabakh and Upper Shirvan channels. It is also a source for fishing, water supplies and irrigation.

Mingachevir Hydroelectro station.

See also

• Rivers and lakes in Azerbaijan
• Shamkir reservoir

References

1. ^ The Caucasus: an introduction Frederik Coene, p. 14, ISBN 0-415-48660-2
2. ^ Ministry of Ecology. Reservoirs
3. ^ Mingəçevir Su Anbarında su maksimal səviyyəyə çatıb Retrieved on 23 October 2010
4. ^ ^{a b} AZƏRBAYCAN RESPUBLİKASI MELİORASİYA VƏ SU TƏSƏRRÜFATI AÇIQ SƏHMDAR CƏMİYYƏTİ: SU ANBARLARI
5. ^ Water resources in Azerbaijan
6. ^ Mingechevir HydroElectric Power Plant Retrieved on 23 October 2010