Kardzhali Reservoir

Kardzhali Dam

Official name	Kardzhali Dam
Location	Kardzhali / Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria
Coordinates	41°38′01″N 25°20′26″E / 41.63361°N 25.34056°E / 41.63361; 25.34056
Purpose	Power generation, flood control, water storage, recreation
Status	Operational
Construction began	1957
Opening date	1963
Owner(s)	Bulgarian Government
Operator(s)	NEK EAD
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Arch-gravity dam
Impounds	Arda River
Height	103.5 m (340 ft)
Length	402.89 m (1,321.8 ft)
Elevation at crest	331.45 m (1,087.4 ft)
Spillway type	4 Spill valves 4 Gates
Spillway capacity	Valves: 3,100 m³/s (110,000 cu ft/s) Gates: 880 m³/s (31,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Kardzhali Reservoir
Total capacity	539,900,000 m³ (437,700 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area	1,882 km² (727 sq mi)
Surface area	16.07 km² (6.20 sq mi)
Normal elevation	324.3 m (1,064 ft)
Power Station
Operator(s)	NEK EAD
Hydraulic head	93 m (305 ft) maximum
Turbines	4
Installed capacity	106 MW
Annual generation	160 million kWh

The Kardzhali Reservoir is a reservoir formed by the Kardzhali Dam, situated less than 1 km to the west of the town of Kardzhali in Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria. It is the second largest reservoir by volume in the country.

The construction of the dam started in 1957 and it was commissioned into service in 1963. The reservoir has water catchment area of 1182 km² and maximum volume of 539.9 million m3. When it is filled to its maximum capacity, the reservoir covers area of 16.07 km² and its surface has elevation of 324.3 meters above sea level. The hydroelectric power plant is situated at the foot of the dam.

The reservoir was recently seeded artificially with European perch. The fish was taken from the Ovcharitsa reservoir.

The first historical moment of the reservoir was in the 1970s, when it was artificially seeded with catfish. Nowadays there are 100 kg representatives. Later, 45,000 carp were introduced into the reservoir as well.