The Shahid Abbaspour Dam is a large arch dam providing hydroelectricity from the Karun River; it is located about 50 kilometres northeast of Masjed Soleiman, in the province of Khuzestan, Iran, and originally completed in 1976, and formerly named "Reza Shah Kabir Dam". The dam was the first of a series of dams planned for development on the Karun River. The dam is a double-curvature concrete arch type, 200 m high from the foundation rock. Its crest width is 6 m. The arch dam design was chosen for the narrow, rocky gorge where it is located. The double-curvature arch design withstands the pressure created by the reservoir with a minimum of concrete, because the shape transmits the force of the reservoir downward and laterally, against the rock foundation; this has the effect of strengthening the dam concrete and its foundation by keeping it in compression. The dam site houses two power stations, one built in 1976 and another built in 1995. Each contains four water turbines connected to electric generators of 250 MW, for a combined generating capacity of 2,000 MW. The dam's electrical output is connected to the national electrical grid, with most generation occurring during periods of peak demand for electricity. Wikipedia [ - ]

The Shahid Abbaspour Dam is a large arch dam providing hydroelectricity from the Karun River; it... [ + ]