Studen kladenets Dam

Overview

Studen Kladenets is a dam located in the middle reaches of the Arda River, southeast of the town of Kardzhali, on the border between the municipalities of Kardzhali and Krumovgrad.

With its 27.8 km² area, it is the 3rd largest dam in Bulgaria after Mandra and Iskar.

Preparations for the construction of the dam began in 1954, and the following year the construction itself began, accompanied by many difficulties caused by the arrival of the river. The hydro unit was put into operation in 1958.

Its catchment area is 3707.5 square kilometers with an average annual outflow of 1600 million cubic meters. The concrete dam wall is 67.5 m high at its highest part and its length is 338 m. At the base the wall is 61 m wide, and at the crown - 8 m. The reservoir has a volume of 387,772 million cubic meters at the highest working water level and extends a total of 29 km upstream.

The main purpose of the hydropower plant is to regulate the large and highly variable seasonal outflow of the Arda River, as well as irrigation and electricity generation through hydropower.

In addition, the lake at Studen Kladenets Dam is used for fish farming and water sports (rowing, pedal boats).

In recent years, pink pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus), which have disappeared as a nesting species in the country, have stopped to rest during their autumn flight to the south.