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The Mesochora Dam is concrete-face rock-fill dam on the Acheloos River near Mesochora in Trikala, Greece. The 150 m (490 ft) tall dam is part of the Acheloos River Diversion which is intended to divert a portion of the Acheloos west to irrigate 240,000–380,000 ha (590,000–940,000 acres) in the Thessaly plains. The project includes the Mesochora, Sykia, Mouzaki and Pyli Dams along with a 17.4 km (10.8 mi) long channel.
| Mesochora Dam | |
|---|---|
 Spillway of Mesochora Dam | |
  Location of Mesochora Dam in Greece | |
| Country | Greece |
| Location | Mesochora, Trikala |
| Coordinates | 39°27′51.86″N 21°18′15.08″E |
| Purpose | River diversion, irrigation, power |
| Status | Complete, not commissioned |
| Construction began | 1996 |
| Opening date | 2001 |
| Owner(s) | Public Power Corporation of Greece |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment, earth-fill |
| Impounds | Acheloos River |
| Height | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Length | 340 m (1,120 ft) |
| Dam volume | 5,000,000 m3 (6,500,000 cu yd)[1] |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 358,000,000 m3 (290,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface area | 7.8 km2 (3.0 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Type | Conventional |
| Turbines | 2 x 81 MW Francis-type (planned) |
| Installed capacity | 162 MW (planned) |
The idea for an Acheloos to Thessaly diversion project was first envisioned in the 1930s but a lack of funding precluded construction. Interest in the project was revived in 1984 and what was supposed to be a small dam at Mesochora apart from the diversion project was increased in size to support to river diversion. Over the next several years there was a series of legal battles that led to construction stalling, most recently in 2005.[2] Opponents of the scheme cite significant changes to the environment, flooding of villages and that the scheme will divert 600,000,000 m3 (490,000 acre⋅ft) of water annually from the Acheloos. Supporters call on the benefit to the lucrative cotton crops it will help irrigate and the dam's planned 162 MW hydroelectric power plant.[3] The Mesochora Dam was completed in January 2001 but the reservoir has yet to be filled and the power plant has subsequently not been commissioned due to legal battles.[4]
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