Petit-Saut Dam

{{Infobox dam

| name = Petit-Saut Dam

| name_official =

| image = File:Barrage de Petit-Saut (Guyane).jpg

| image_size =

| image_caption = Petit-Saut Dam, 2011.

| image_alt =

| location_map = French Guiana

| location_map_size =

| location_map_caption =

| location_map_alt =

| coordinates = {{coord|5|3|45.39|N|53|2|51.28|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| country = France

| location = Sinnamary, French Guiana

| purpose = Power

| status = O

| construction_began = 1989

| opening = {{Start date and age|1993}}

| demolished =

| cost =

| owner = Électricité de France

| dam_type = Gravity, roller-compacted concrete

| dam_crosses = Sinnamary River

| dam_length = {{Convert|740|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| dam_height = {{Convert|48|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| dam_height_foundation=

| dam_height_thalweg =

| dam_elevation_crest =

| dam_width_crest =

| dam_width_base =

| dam_volume = {{Convert|410000|m3|cuyd|abbr=on}}

| spillway_count =

| spillway_type =

| spillway_capacity =

| res_name = Petit-Saut Lake

| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|3500000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

| res_capacity_active =

| res_capacity_inactive=

| res_catchment =

| res_surface = {{Convert|365|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}

| res_max_length =

| res_max_width =

| res_max_depth =

| res_elevation =

| res_tidal_range =

| plant_name =

| plant_coordinates =

| plant_operator =

| plant_commission = January 1994-1995

| plant_decommission =

| plant_type =

| plant_turbines = 4 x 29 MW Kaplan-type

| plant_hydraulic_head =

| plant_capacity = 116 MW

| plant_annual_gen =

| website =

| extra =

}}

The Petit-Saut Dam is a gravity dam on the Sinnamary River about {{Convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Sinnamary in French Guiana. The primary purpose of the dam is to produce hydroelectric power and it supports a 116 MW power station. Construction on the dam and power station began in July 1989 and placement of concrete for the dam started in July 1992. The dam was complete in February 1993 and the first generator was operational in January 1994. The last went online in 1995.{{cite web|title=RCC Dam Database (Petit Saut)|url=http://rccdams.co.uk/database_results.php|publisher=Malcolm Dunstan & Associates|accessdate=31 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108220724/http://www.rccdams.co.uk/database_results.php|archive-date=8 November 2015}} It is owned by Électricité de France.{{cite web|title=Hydroelectric Plants in French Guiana & Suriname|url=http://www.industcards.com/hydro-french-guiana-suriname.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140331214139/http://www.industcards.com/hydro-french-guiana-suriname.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 31, 2014|publisher=IndustCards|accessdate=31 March 2014}} Construction of the dam and impounding of its large {{Convert|3500000000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} reservoir led to several environmental issues that continue to be monitored and addressed. These issues include deforestation, greenhouse gases and water deoxidation.{{cite web|title=PETIT SAUT Environmental report after 12 years running|url=http://guyane.edf.com/fichiers/fckeditor/Commun/SEI/Guyane/Rapport-Comite-scientifique-Petit-Saut-2008-version-anglaise-V2.pdf|publisher=Comite Scientifique Petit-Saut|accessdate=31 March 2014|year=2008}}