Büyükçekmece Dam

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Büyükçekmece Dam is a dam located in the Büyükçekmece district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the key infrastructure projects in the region, primarily serving the purpose of water supply and flood control.

History

The construction of the Büyükçekmece Dam began in the early 1980s and was completed in 1988. The dam was built to address the growing water needs of Istanbul, which has experienced rapid population growth and urbanization.

Structure

The Büyükçekmece Dam is an embankment dam made of earth and rock-fill materials. It has a height of 28 meters and a length of 2,000 meters. The dam creates the Büyükçekmece Lake, which has a total storage capacity of approximately 163 million cubic meters.

Purpose

The primary purposes of the Büyükçekmece Dam are:

• **Water Supply**: The dam provides a significant portion of the drinking water for Istanbul. The water from the dam is treated at the Büyükçekmece Water Treatment Plant before being distributed to the city's residents.
• **Flood Control**: The dam helps in controlling floods in the region by regulating the flow of water from the Karasu River.
• **Recreation**: The area around the dam and the lake is used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.

Environmental Impact

The construction of the Büyükçekmece Dam has had both positive and negative environmental impacts. On the positive side, it has created a new habitat for various species of fish and birds. However, the dam has also led to the submersion of some natural habitats and agricultural lands.

Management

The Büyükçekmece Dam is managed by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the dam and its associated facilities.

See Also

• List of dams and reservoirs in Turkey
• Water supply and sanitation in Turkey
• Istanbul