Waves change in south
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Jane Tuna
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 12, 2008 00:00
FETHIYE - As the construction of the reservoir and the hydroelectric dam on the Dalaman River are soon to be completed, the face of the area will be changed forever. It will prevent flooding as well as the electric production, while it may effect the environment in a negative way.
In the mountains behind Lake Köyceğiz there is a valley that is about to change forever. The Dalaman Reservoir and its hydroelectric dam are nearly complete. Built to a height of 112.50m above the river, next year it will begin to fill with water from the powerful, fast flowing Dalaman River and sometime in 2009 will begin to produce environmentally sustainable electricity for the Muğla province.
Already trees have been felled to make way for the water. The bare hillsides show just how deep the level of water will be. When it is full it will be up to 200m deep. The panorama of flowers and trees with their autumn colors, maybe for the last time, will give way to a lake, 24km in length and covering an area of 8.92 square kilometres, it will be the sixth largest in Turkey.
The hydroelectric system, built using latest technology, will consist of two generators each capable of producing 57.5 Megawatts. One will run continuously, while the other will be brought in to boost the national grid when required. The plant is expected to produce at least 343.5.Gigawatt hours annually.
Situated 24km east of Köyceğiz, near the village of Bayobası, it will provide both electricity and irrigation for the area. Project plans were passed despite the area being in a first degree earthquake zone but feasibility studies suggest that local inhabitants living downstream need not be concerned as the dam, having been built to the highest standards, will not be at risk.
Controlling the powerful river should also prevent flooding, which has in the past caused problems in the estuary in town of Dalyan. Hopefully, this can be achieved without detrimentally changing the famous reed beds and their indigenous wild life.
Impressive architecture
One hamlet has been relocated as a result of the construction. The inhabitants were given the option of being rehoused in nearby towns but instead chose financial compensation. The ruins of the houses can clearly be seen from the road that runs along the river. The ancient Akköprü, an antique bridge - there seems to be some confusion as to its age, some say Roman others Selçuk - will succumb to the rising water level.
The structure of the dam is the essence of 21st Century technology. Furthermore, it is architecturally impressive; built on a scale that dwarfs everything around it - apart from the mountains. However, there is always a downside to building on such a scale and the environmental impact that caused the local villagers to move will also affect the Dalaman River up stream from the dam and reservoir.
Popular with white water rafters and canoeists, the river will be changed forever. Within two years the area where adventurers plunged down rapids will be flooded. Furthermore, there are plans to build more dams and reservoirs further up stream. The white water rafters will only have their memories.
Hakan Özvardar has been operating a rafting company in the area for many years. ’Turkey has some amazing rivers, up to 30,000 visitors annually experience the thrill of rafting and canoing. The Dalaman River has been very popular for tourists and enthusiasts from Bodrum down to Kalkan. As many as 5000 people encounter the buzz of rafting every season. Sadly, the changes will deny them this opportunity in the future.’ It is hoped the authorities in Muğla will show initiative and imagination to use this extraordinary structure as a resource for sailing enthusiasts, canoeists, windsurfers and fishermen, or just as a place to relax; very different, perhaps from adrenaline pumping rafting but nonetheless exciting.
Already trees have been felled to make way for the water. The bare hillsides show just how deep the level of water will be. When it is full it will be up to 200m deep. The panorama of flowers and trees with their autumn colors, maybe for the last time, will give way to a lake, 24km in length and covering an area of 8.92 square kilometres, it will be the sixth largest in Turkey.
The hydroelectric system, built using latest technology, will consist of two generators each capable of producing 57.5 Megawatts. One will run continuously, while the other will be brought in to boost the national grid when required. The plant is expected to produce at least 343.5.Gigawatt hours annually.
Situated 24km east of Köyceğiz, near the village of Bayobası, it will provide both electricity and irrigation for the area. Project plans were passed despite the area being in a first degree earthquake zone but feasibility studies suggest that local inhabitants living downstream need not be concerned as the dam, having been built to the highest standards, will not be at risk.
Controlling the powerful river should also prevent flooding, which has in the past caused problems in the estuary in town of Dalyan. Hopefully, this can be achieved without detrimentally changing the famous reed beds and their indigenous wild life.
Impressive architecture
One hamlet has been relocated as a result of the construction. The inhabitants were given the option of being rehoused in nearby towns but instead chose financial compensation. The ruins of the houses can clearly be seen from the road that runs along the river. The ancient Akköprü, an antique bridge - there seems to be some confusion as to its age, some say Roman others Selçuk - will succumb to the rising water level.
The structure of the dam is the essence of 21st Century technology. Furthermore, it is architecturally impressive; built on a scale that dwarfs everything around it - apart from the mountains. However, there is always a downside to building on such a scale and the environmental impact that caused the local villagers to move will also affect the Dalaman River up stream from the dam and reservoir.
Popular with white water rafters and canoeists, the river will be changed forever. Within two years the area where adventurers plunged down rapids will be flooded. Furthermore, there are plans to build more dams and reservoirs further up stream. The white water rafters will only have their memories.
Hakan Özvardar has been operating a rafting company in the area for many years. ’Turkey has some amazing rivers, up to 30,000 visitors annually experience the thrill of rafting and canoing. The Dalaman River has been very popular for tourists and enthusiasts from Bodrum down to Kalkan. As many as 5000 people encounter the buzz of rafting every season. Sadly, the changes will deny them this opportunity in the future.’ It is hoped the authorities in Muğla will show initiative and imagination to use this extraordinary structure as a resource for sailing enthusiasts, canoeists, windsurfers and fishermen, or just as a place to relax; very different, perhaps from adrenaline pumping rafting but nonetheless exciting.