Rapel Dam

The Rapel Dam is an arch dam on the Rapel River about north of La Estrella in the Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Region, Chile. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 377 MW power station. The dam was completed in 1968 and is owned by Endesa. It creates the largest reservoir in Chile with a capacity of. The dam withstood the 7.5 M_w 1985 Rapel Lake earthquake with only minor damage. It was centered from the dam.

Design

The Rapel Dam is a tall and long variable-radius arch-type. It is wide at its crest and wide at its base. The dam's spillway is controlled by five tainter gates and has a discharge capacity of. The dam's reservoir, Lake Rapel has a capacity of which is active capacity.

Power station

The power station, located at the dam's base, contains five Francis turbine-generators and is afforded of net hydraulic head.