Nam Ngum Dam

Nam Ngum Dam
Nam Ngum Dam is located in Laos
Nam Ngum Dam
Location of Nam Ngum Dam in Laos
LocationVientiane Capital, Laos
Coordinates18°31′51″N 102°32′51″E / 18.53083°N 102.54750°E / 18.53083; 102.54750
Construction began1968
Opening date1971
Construction costUS$97 million (over three phases)
Owner(s)EDL
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsNam Ngum River
Height70 m (230 ft)
Length468 m (1,535 ft)
Spillway typeRadial
Reservoir
CreatesAng Nam Ngum
Total capacity4.7 km3 (3,800,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area8,460 km2 (3,266 sq mi)
Surface area370 km2 (140 sq mi)
Power Station
Operator(s)EDL-GEN
Commission date1971
Hydraulic head45.5 m (149 ft)
Turbines2 x 17.5 MW Francis
3 x 40 MW Francis
Installed capacity155 MW
Annual generation865 GW

The Nam Ngum Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Nam Ngum River, a major tributary of the Mekong River in Laos. It was the first hydropower dam built in the Lao PDR.


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