Yusufeli Dam
Encyclopedia
The Yusufeli Dam is a proposed embankment dam
on the Çoruh River
near Yusufeli
in Artvin Province
within the eastern Black Sea
region of Turkey
. The Yusufeli Dam will be the second largest dam within the larger Çoruh River Development Plan which plans to build 13 dams, of which 2 are operational and another 2 are under construction. The dam's main purpose is hydroelectric power production and it will support a 540 MW power station. The dam is controversial because of its projected impact on the biodiversity within its reservoir area along with the relocation of locals.
(lowest point of river bed). It will have a crest length of 410 m (1,345 ft) and crest width of 15 m (49 ft) while being composed of 2240000 cubic metre of fill. The dam's crest will sit at an altitude of 719 m (2,359 ft) above sea level while the normal operating level of its reservoir will be 710 m (2,329 ft), maximum will be 712 m (2,336 ft) and the minimum 670 m (2,198 ft). The reservoir surface area of 33 km² (13 sq mi) will have a total storage capacity of 2130000000 cubic metre and an active or "useful" storage of 1080000000 cubic metre. The dam's spillway will be a service controlled chute type with a maximum discharge capacity of 8000 m3/s.
The dam will have an underground power station
that is 110 m (361 ft) long, 21.4 m (70 ft) wide and 45.2 m (148 ft) high. Within the power station will be 3 x 180 MW vertical shaft Francis turbine
s.
Embankment dam
An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof...
on the Çoruh River
Çoruh River
The Çoruh River or Ch'orokhi River rises in the Mescit Mountains in north-eastern Turkey, flows through the cities of Bayburt, Ispir, Yusufeli, and Artvin, along the Kelkit-Çoruh Fault, before flowing into Georgia, where it reaches the Black Sea just south of Batumi and a few kilometers north of...
near Yusufeli
Yusufeli
Yusufeli is a town and district of Artvin Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is located on the bank of Çoruh River 104 km south-west of the city of Artvin, on the road to Erzurum....
in Artvin Province
Artvin Province
Artvin Province is a province in Turkey, on the Black Sea coast in the north-eastern corner of the country, on the border with Georgia.The provincial capital is the city of Artvin.-Geography:...
within the eastern Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
region of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The Yusufeli Dam will be the second largest dam within the larger Çoruh River Development Plan which plans to build 13 dams, of which 2 are operational and another 2 are under construction. The dam's main purpose is hydroelectric power production and it will support a 540 MW power station. The dam is controversial because of its projected impact on the biodiversity within its reservoir area along with the relocation of locals.
History
The first studies on the Yusufeli Dam were carried out in the 1970s and it was included in the Coruh River Hydropower Development Master Plan in 1982. The feasibility report was completed in 1986 and the project was added to the national plan in 1997. Currently, Resettlement Action Plans are being negotiated before the project can begin.Design
The Yusufeli will be a rock-fill embankment dam with a height of 270 m (886 ft) from its foundation and 223 m (732 ft) from the river's thalwegThalweg
Thalweg in geography and fluvial geomorphology signifies the deepest continuous inline within a valley or watercourse system.-Hydrology:In hydrological and fluvial landforms, the thalweg is a line drawn to join the lowest points along the entire length of a stream bed or valley in its downward...
(lowest point of river bed). It will have a crest length of 410 m (1,345 ft) and crest width of 15 m (49 ft) while being composed of 2240000 cubic metre of fill. The dam's crest will sit at an altitude of 719 m (2,359 ft) above sea level while the normal operating level of its reservoir will be 710 m (2,329 ft), maximum will be 712 m (2,336 ft) and the minimum 670 m (2,198 ft). The reservoir surface area of 33 km² (13 sq mi) will have a total storage capacity of 2130000000 cubic metre and an active or "useful" storage of 1080000000 cubic metre. The dam's spillway will be a service controlled chute type with a maximum discharge capacity of 8000 m3/s.
The dam will have an underground power station
Underground power station
An underground power station is a type of hydroelectric power station constructed by excavating the major components from rock, rather than the more common surface-based construction methods....
that is 110 m (361 ft) long, 21.4 m (70 ft) wide and 45.2 m (148 ft) high. Within the power station will be 3 x 180 MW vertical shaft Francis turbine
Francis turbine
The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine that was developed by James B. Francis in Lowell, Massachusetts. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts....
s.
Projected biological impacts
If built, the Yusufeli Dam will is expect to have significant biological impacts including:- Adversely affecting 21 nationally listed threatened plant species, of which all except one are endemic to Turkey. Of these threatened species 2 taxa are limited to YusufeliYusufeliYusufeli is a town and district of Artvin Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is located on the bank of Çoruh River 104 km south-west of the city of Artvin, on the road to Erzurum....
and its surroundings, 8 are limited to the Çoruh Valley, and 6 to the ArtvinArtvin-History:See Artvin Province for the history of the region.-Places of interest:* Artvin or Livana castle, built in 937There are a number of Ottoman Empire houses and public buildings including:* Salih Bey mosque, built in 1792...
-ErzurumErzurumErzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
area. Turkish Red Book for Plants shows that of these, 7 species are critically endangered, 5 are endangered and 9 are vulnerable.
- Adversely affecting 12 nationally listed threatened mammal species including the; Wild GoatWild GoatThe wild goat is a widespread species of goat, with a distribution ranging from Europe and Asia Minor to central Asia and the Middle East. It is the ancestor of the domestic goat.-Social structure:...
(Capra aegagrus), ChamoisChamoisThe chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. The chamois has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand...
(Rupicapra rupicapra), Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), Forest DormouseForest DormouseThe Forest Dormouse is a species of rodent in the Gliridae family found in eastern Europe, the Balkans and parts of western Central Asia...
(Dryomys nitedula), Brown BearBrown BearThe brown bear is a large bear distributed across much of northern Eurasia and North America. It can weigh from and its largest subspecies, the Kodiak Bear, rivals the polar bear as the largest member of the bear family and as the largest land-based predator.There are several recognized...
(Ursus arctos), Eurasian BadgerEurasian BadgerThe European Badger is a species of badger of the genus Meles, native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population....
(Meles meles), Gray WolfGray WolfThe gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
(Canis lupus), Mediterranean Horseshoe BatMediterranean Horseshoe BatThe Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat is a species of bat in the Rhinolophidae family. It is found in the Mediterranean region and balkan peninsula, as well as parts of Italy.-Physical characteristics:...
(Rhinolophus euryale), Lesser Horseshoe BatLesser horseshoe batThe Lesser Horseshoe Bat , is a type of European bat related to but smaller than its cousin, the Greater Horseshoe Bat...
(Rhinolophus hipposideros), Greater Mouse-Eared BatGreater mouse-eared batThe greater mouse-eared bat, Myotis myotis, is a European species of bat in the Vespertilionidae family.-Description:It is relatively large for a member of the Myotis genus, weighing up to , making it one of the largest European bats.-Foraging:Like its relatives it eats various arthropods;...
(Myotis myotis), Schreiber’s Bat (MiniopterusMiniopterusMiniopterus is a genus of bats and the only genus of the family Miniopteridae. The genus was previously placed in its own subfamily, Miniopterinae, of the vesper bat family, but is now classified in its own family....
schreibersi) and Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). Of these species the Mediterranean Bat and Wild Goat are internationally listed on IUCN Red ListIUCN Red ListThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
of Threatened Species.
- Adversely affecting 2 nationally threatened fish species, the Black Sea SalmonSalmonSalmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
(Salmo trutta labrax) and Brown TroutTroutTrout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
(Salmo trutta macrostigma). The Black Sea Salmon’s migration will be blocked because of this and the other planned and built dams. Existing populations of fish will be adversely affected by the construction of the dam and another 6 species populations may not recover due to the reduction of creek and river habitat needed for breeding.
- Potentially adversely affecting 5 butterflyButterflyA butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
and 1 dragonflyDragonflyA dragonfly is a winged insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera . It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body...
regionally rare species (PolyommatusPolyommatusPolyommatus is a genus of butterflies.-List of species:* Polyommatus abdon .* Polyommatus achaemenes .* Polyommatus actinides .* Polyommatus actis ....
poseidon, Pseudophilotes vicramaPseudophilotes vicramaThe Chequered Blue is a small butterfly found from Asia, east to Tian Shan and parts of China, west to the Balkan, Turkey, eastern Europe to southern Finland...
, Pyrgus cirsii, Scolitantides orionScolitantides orionThe Chequered Blue Butterfly,Scolitantides orion, belongs to the Lycaenidae family of gossamer-winged butterflies. The male is 13 to 16 mm, and flight takes place in July. The butterfly lives in rocky areas up to 1000 m of altitude, on plants such as Sedum telephium and Sedum album. It is...
, Thymelicus acteon, and Onychogomphus assimilisOnychogomphus assimilisOnychogomphus assimilis is a species of dragonfly in family Gomphidae. It is found in Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. Its natural habitat is rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
) of which 2 are listed in the IUCN red list Pyrgus cirsii and Onychogomphus assimilis .
| Species | Endemic | Threat level | Distribution in Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reseda globosa | No | Critically endangered | Coruh Valley |
| Lathyrus Lathyrus Lathyrus is a genus of flowering plant species known as sweet peas and vetchlings. Lathyrus is in the legume family Fabaceae and contains approximately 160 species. They are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species in North America, 78 in Asia, 24 in... woronowii |
Endemic | Critically endangered | Coruh Valley |
| Ferula Ferula Ferula is a genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region east to central Asia, mostly growing in arid climates. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing to 1–4 m tall, with stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems... mervinii |
Endemic | Critically endangered | Yusufeli & its vinicity |
| Anthemis Anthemis Anthemis is a genus of about 100 species of aromatic herbs in the Asteraceae, closely related to Chamaemelum, and like that genus, known by the common name chamomile; some species are also called dog-fennel or mayweed. However, Mayweed is improperly used for this genus since Mayweed refers to the... calcarea var calcarea |
Endemic | Critically endangered | Artvin-Erzurum |
| Anthemis calcarea var discoidea | Endemic | Critically endangered | Artvin-Erzurum |
| Centaurea Centaurea Centaurea is a genus of between 350 and 600 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich... straminicephala |
Endemic | Critically endangered | Coruh Valley |
| Centaurea leptophylla | Endemic | Critically endangered | Yusufeli & its vinicity |
| Clypeola raddeana | Endemic | Endangered | Coruh Valley |
| Morina Morina ----Morina is a genus of the angiosperm family Morinaceae. It is the provincial flower of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Morina is named in honor of Louis-Pierre Morin , a french physician and botanist.... persica var decussatifolia |
Endemic | Endangered | Artvin-Erzurum |
| Campanula Campanula Campanula is one of several genera in the family Campanulaceae with the common name bellflower. It takes its name from their bell-shaped flowers—campanula is Latin for "little bell".... troegeraeƒ |
Endemic | Endangered | Artvin-Erzurum |
| Verbascum gracilescens | Endemic | Endangered | Coruh Valley |
| Asperula Asperula Asperula is a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family. It contains about 200 species and has a wide distribution area from Europe, northern Africa, temperate and subtropicale Asia to Australasia.-Species:... virgata |
Endemic | Endangered | Coruh Valley |
| Acer divergens var divergens | Endemic | Vulnerable | Coruh Valley |
| Sempervivum staintonii | Endemic | Vulnerable | Coruh Valley |
| Seseli andronakii | Endemic | Vulnerable | Artvin-Erzurum |
| Bupleurum Bupleurum Bupleurum is a very large genus of plants of the Apiaceae family, represented by 185 to 195 species.Species include:*Bupleurum aureum Fisch. ex Hoffm. Bupleurum is a very large genus of plants of the Apiaceae family, represented by 185 to 195 species.Species include:*Bupleurum aureum Fisch. ex... brachiatum |
Endemic | Vulnerable | Middle & East Blacksea |
| Bupleurum schistosum | Endemic | Vulnerable | Coruh Valley |
| Centaurea pecho | Endemic | Vulnerable | East Blacksea |
| Centaurea hedgei | Endemic | Vulnerable | Artvin-Erzurum |
| Linaria Linaria Linaria is a genus of about 100 species of herbaceous annuals and perennials that was traditionally placed in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. Due to new genetic research, it has now been placed in the vastly expanded family Plantaginaceae... genistifolia subsp artivinensis |
Endemic | Vulnerable | Coruh Valley |
| Iris Iris (plant) Iris is a genus of 260-300species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species... taochia |
Endemic | Vulnerable | East Blacksea |