Mahabad Dam

Mahabad Dam
The dam at night
Location of Mahabad Dam in Iran
CountryIran
LocationMahabad, West Azerbaijan province
Coordinates36°46′03″N 45°42′06″E / 36.76750°N 45.70167°E / 36.76750; 45.70167
PurposeFlood control, Irrigation, Power
StatusOperational
Construction began1968
Opening date1970 (1970)
Owner(s)Regional Company of West Azerbaijan
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment, earth and rock-fill
ImpoundsMahabad River
Height45 m (148 ft)
Height (foundation)47 m (154 ft)
Length700 m (2,300 ft)
Width (crest)8 m (26 ft)
Width (base)221.5 m (727 ft)
Dam volume1,500,000 m3 (2,000,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
Total capacity230,000,000 m3 (190,000 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity190,000,000 m3 (150,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area808 km2
Normal elevation1,358.5 m (4,457 ft)
Operator(s)Regional Company of West Azerbaijan
Commission date1972
Turbines2 x 3 MW
Installed capacity6 MW

Mahabad Dam (Persian: سد مهاباد) is an embankment dam on the Mahabad River near the city of Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. It was built before the Islamic revolution by Yugoslavian engineers and is one of the ten largest dams in Iran. On average, the total volume of annual water input is equal to 339.304 million cubic meters. The Mahabad Dam provides water for agriculture (71%), industry (11%), drinking (7%), and other miscellaneous purposes (11%). The dam also has a hydroelectric power station. Construction began in 1968 and the dam was completed in 1970.

Mahabad–Sardasht Road and Mahabad-Piranshahr Road pass along the lake.