Azad Dam

{{Short description|Dam in Kordestan, Iran}}

{{update|date=August 2014}}

{{Infobox dam

| name = Azad Dam

| name_official =

| image =

| image_size = 255

| image_caption =

| image_alt =

| location_map = Iran

| location_map_size =

| location_map_caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|35|20|04|N|46|32|56|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| country = Iran

| location = Sanandaj

| status =

| construction_began =

| opening = 2014

| demolished =

| cost =

| owner =

| dam_type =

| dam_height = {{convert|115|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Azad Dam |url=http://www.stratusgc.com/en/list-dam.aspx?idprj=14&pg=1 |publisher=Stratus International |accessdate=4 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423152614/http://www.stratusgc.com/en/list-dam.aspx?idprj=14&pg=1 |archivedate=23 April 2012 }}

| dam_height_thalweg =

| dam_height_foundation =

| dam_length = {{convert|595|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| dam_width_crest = {{convert|15|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| dam_width_base =

| dam_volume = {{convert|8500000|m3|cuyd|0|abbr=on}}

| dam_elevation_crest =

| dam_crosses = Gura River

| spillway_count =

| spillway_type =

| spillway_capacity =

| res_name =

| res_capacity_total = {{convert|260000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

| res_capacity_active =

| res_capacity_inactive =

| res_catchment =

| res_surface =

| res_elevation =

| res_max_depth =

| res_max_length =

| res_max_width =

| res_tidal_range =

| plant_operator =

| plant_commission = 2014

| plant_decommission =

| plant_type =

| plant_turbines = 3 x {{convert|3.3|MW|abbr=on}} Francis-type, 3 x {{convert|166.3|MW|abbr=on}} reversible Francis

| plant_capacity = Conventional max. planned: {{convert|10|MW|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Azad H.E.P.P. |url=http://www.farab.com/en/field_of_activities/prjDetail.asp?abv=H&pk=1024 |publisher=Farab Co. |accessdate=16 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061236/http://www.farab.com/en/field_of_activities/prjDetail.asp?abv=H&pk=1024 |archivedate=22 February 2014 }}
Pumped storage max. planned: 500 MW{{cite web|title=Azad Pumped Storage HEPP|url=http://www.asdgroup.com.tr/en/project/azad-pumped-storage-hepp/23|publisher=ASD Group|accessdate=6 June 2013}}

| plant_annual_gen = {{convert|95|GWh|abbr=on}}

| website =

| extra =

}}

Azad Dam (Persian: سد آزاد) is an embankment dam on the Gura River, {{Convert|40|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} west of Sanandaj in Kordestan province, Iran. It is situated in Kurdistan Province and its construction is part of a water management plan for Kurdistan Province.{{cite web|title=Azad dam project in Kurdistan 91 years to be operational|url=http://www.sabainfo.ir/fa/news/16381|publisher=Saba Info|accessdate=6 June 2013|language=Persian}} It has an installed electricity generating capacity of {{convert|10|MW|abbr=on}} and future pumped storage power plant with a regenerating capacity of {{convert|500|MW|abbr=on}}.

The pumped storage power plant is to be connected to the dam via a {{convert|1600|m}} tunnel of which {{convert|110|m}} was built by June 2010. The dam with a length of {{convert|595|m}} and a height of {{convert|115|m}}, has a maximum storage capacity of {{convert|260000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} of water. A {{convert|175|km}} canal connecting the dam with towns of Qarveh and Dehlegan will annually supply over {{convert|0.25|km3|acre.ft}} of water for agricultural purposes to these towns. As the water table of these towns have gone down by over {{convert|18|m}} due to the excessive use of underground water for crop cultivation, the construction of this dam will help to conserve the underground water sources of the area. One village had to be relocated due to construction of the dam and another new village has been built near the body of the dam. It is estimated that Azad dam will yearly produce approximately 95 GWh of electricity. The dam was operational in 2014.{{cite web|script-title=fa:استاندار: آبگيري سد آزاد كردستان اواخر سال آينده آغاز مي شود|url=http://www.magiran.com/npview.asp?ID=1930227|publisher=Mag Iran|accessdate=6 June 2013|language=Persian}}{{cite web|title=Azad dam project in Kurdistan is 32% physical progress Fars News Agency: Governor of Kurdistan province announced the release of dam improvement of 32%|url=http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8709130188|publisher=Saba Info|accessdate=6 June 2013|language=Persian}}