Kamburu Dam

{{Infobox dam

| name =Kamburu Dam

| image =

| image_caption =

| location_map =Kenya

| country =Kenya

| location =Embu County/Machakos County, Eastern Province

| coordinates = {{coord|0.8291|S|37.6679|E|region:KE-700_scale:50000_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| owner = Kenya Electricity Generating Company

| purpose = Power

| status = O

| construction_began = 1971

| opening = {{Start date and age|1974}}

| demolished =

| cost = US$47 million

| dam_type = Embankment

| dam_crosses = Tana River

| dam_length = {{Convert|730|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| dam_height = {{Convert|52|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| dam_height_foundation=

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| spillway_capacity =

| res_name =

| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|123000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

| res_capacity_active =

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| res_catchment =

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| plant_name = Kamburu Power Station

| plant_coordinates =

| plant_operator = Kenya Electricity Generating Company

| plant_hydraulic_head ={{Convert|82|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| plant_turbines = 3 x 31 MW Francis-type

| plant_capacity = {{convert|93|MW|abbr=on}}

| plant_commission = 1974

| plant_decommission =

}}

The Kamburu Hydroelectric Power Station, also Kamburu Dam is a rock-filled embankment dam on the Tana River in Kenya which straddles the border of Embu and Machakos Counties in Eastern Province. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 93 MW power station. Construction on the dam began in 1971 and it was completed in 1975, with the power station getting commissioned the same year. US$23 million of the US$47 million project cost was provided by the World Bank. The power station is operated by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and is part of the Seven Forks Scheme.{{cite web|title=Kamburu Power Station|url=http://www.kengen.co.ke/index.php?page=business&subpage=hydro&id=3|publisher=Kenya Electricity Generating Company|accessdate=21 February 2015}}{{cite web|title=Kenya - Kamburu Hydroelectric Project (English)| url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/1971/05/1556302/kenya-kamburu-hydroelectric-project#|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=21 February 2015}}

The {{Convert|52|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of {{Convert|123000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}. The power station is located underground just below the left toe and contains three 31 MW Francis turbine-generators. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a net hydraulic head of {{Convert|82|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Water discharged from the power station travels down a {{Convert|3040|m|ft|abbr=on}} long tailrace tunnel before reaching the Tana at Gitaru Reservoir.{{cite web|title=Kenya - Appraisal of the Kamburu Hydroelectric Project|url=http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2000/03/21/000178830_98101903332654/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf|publisher=World Bank|accessdate=21 February 2015|pages=Annex 5|date=31 May 1971}}