Chulabhorn Dam
{{Short description|Dam in Khon San, Chaiyaphum, Thailand}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Chulabhorn Dam
| name_official = Chulabhorn Dam
| dam_crosses = Nam Phrom River
| country = Thailand
| location = Khon San, Chaiyaphum
| dam_length = {{convert|700|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = {{convert|70|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| construction_began = 1970
| opening = 1972
| cost =
| owner = Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
| res_name = Chulabhorn Dam Reservoir
| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|165,000,000|m3|ft3|abbr=on}}
| res_catchment = {{convert|545|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| res_surface = {{convert|31|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| plant_operator = Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
| plant_capacity = 40 MW
| plant_annual_gen = 59 GWh
| location_map = Thailand
| location_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|16|32|10.56|N|101|39|0.13|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
}}
Chulabhorn Dam (เขื่อนจุฬาภรณ์) is a dam in Tambon Thung Lui Lai, Khon San District, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand.{{cite web |title=Chulaphorn Dam |url=https://www.egat.co.th/en/information/power-plants-and-dams?view=article&id=58 |website=Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) |accessdate=28 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604101507/https://www.egat.co.th/en/information/power-plants-and-dams?view=article&id=58 |url-status=dead }} It impounds the Phrom River, a tributary of the Mekong. The dam has diverted the Nam Phrong River. As water leaves its turbines, it empties into the Choen River. The dam is named for Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand.
Description
Typical of Thai dams, the Chulabhorn Dam is an earth core rockfill dam. Its function is to generate electricity and to irrigate riparian agriculture, except when irrigation is prohibited during droughts.{{cite news |title=Water restrictions in effect |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1824124/water-restrictions-in-effect |accessdate=26 December 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=26 December 2019}} The dam is {{convert|700|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|70|m|ft|abbr=on}} high. Its reservoir covers {{convert|31|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. A replica of Phra Phutthasiri Sakkharat (Luangpho Chet Kasat) (พระพุทธสิริสัคคราชจำลอง (หลวงพ่อเจ็ดกษัตริย์)) is a Buddha image enshrined on the left side of the dam, opposite Chulabhorn Dam Park. The Chulabhorn Dam Park (สวนเขื่อนจุฬาภรณ์) covers approximately 41 rai.
Power house
Controversies
Like the Pak Mun Dam downstream, the Chulabhorn has not been without its share of controversies. These have principally been over the way in which water is allocated for irrigation vis-à-vis power generation; and over the diversion of water from the Nam Phong to the Choen River, depriving downstream communities along the Choen.
Downstream of the Chulabhorn Dam, along the Choen River, lie three districts: Kaset Sombun District, Ban Thaen District, and Phu Khieo District. The reduced flows of the Choen has driven villagers to band together to persuade the EGAT to increase the flow of water. Protests started in 1973, and have earned the villagers the title of the "water beggars of the Northeast".
{{cite news | title = EGAT dam denying people water | url = http://www.probeinternational.org/mekong-utility-watch/egat-dam-denying-people-water| work= Bangkok Post | date = 2000-03-13 | accessdate = 2011-01-31 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720100936/http://www.probeinternational.org/mekong-utility-watch/egat-dam-denying-people-water | archivedate = 2011-07-20 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{stack|{{Portal|Thailand|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120428152611/http://www.mekong.waterandfood.org/ CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food-Mekong]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20191122215434/http://tnmcmekong.org/ Thailand National Mekong Committee]
- [http://www.egat.co.th/en/ Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126132930/http://www.egat.co.th/en/ |date=2018-01-26 }}
- [http://www.mpowernet.org Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience]
- [http://www.mrcmekong.org Mekong River Commission]
Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Thailand
Category:Dams completed in 1972
Category:Buildings and structures in Chaiyaphum province