Difference between revisions of "Karun 3 Dam Bridge"
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One of two large steel arches that were necessary to carry a former road across the deep reservoir created by the massive Karun 3 dam, the larger of the two arches became the highest span in the Middle East, surpassing the record previously held by Iran's 35 year old Ghotour bridge. The Karun 3 Dam is one of a series of huge hydroelectric projects that have been built along the Karun River which has the greatest discharge of any river in Iran and is hence the most important power producing waterway in the country. At 205 meters from top to bottom, the double curvature Karun 3 Dam became the tallest in the country upon its completion in 2005. The even larger Karun 4 Dam began operations in 2011 with a foundation to crest height of 230 meters. For a size comparison, the famous Hoover Dam near Las Vegas is slightly higher then Karun 3 but slightly lower then Karun 4. | One of two large steel arches that were necessary to carry a former road across the deep reservoir created by the massive Karun 3 dam, the larger of the two arches became the highest span in the Middle East, surpassing the record previously held by Iran's 35 year old Ghotour bridge. The Karun 3 Dam is one of a series of huge hydroelectric projects that have been built along the Karun River which has the greatest discharge of any river in Iran and is hence the most important power producing waterway in the country. At 205 meters from top to bottom, the double curvature Karun 3 Dam became the tallest in the country upon its completion in 2005. The even larger Karun 4 Dam began operations in 2011 with a foundation to crest height of 230 meters. For a size comparison, the famous Hoover Dam near Las Vegas is slightly higher then Karun 3 but slightly lower then Karun 4. | ||
| − | The larger West crossing over the main channel of the Karun River has a hinge to hinge span of 252 meters with an overall length of 336 meters. The smaller East span crosses a smaller side canyon with a span of approximately 175 meters and a height of approximately | + | The larger West crossing over the main channel of the Karun River has a hinge to hinge span of 252 meters with an overall length of 336 meters. The smaller East span crosses a smaller side canyon with a span of approximately 175 meters and a height of approximately 130 meters. The West span has a much greater span to rise ratio then the East bridge since both are of equal height above the reservoir. The Karun River is sometimes spelled as Karoon or Karoun. |
You can see an informative video on the completion of the Karun 3 Dam, spillway operations, the filling of the lake and several nice views of the 2 arches below: | You can see an informative video on the completion of the Karun 3 Dam, spillway operations, the filling of the lake and several nice views of the 2 arches below: | ||
Revision as of 23:08, 20 February 2012
Karun 3 Dam Bridge
سد کارون 3
Bajool, Khuzestan, Iran
656 feet high / 200 meters high
827 foot span / 252 meter span
2005
One of two large steel arches that were necessary to carry a former road across the deep reservoir created by the massive Karun 3 dam, the larger of the two arches became the highest span in the Middle East, surpassing the record previously held by Iran's 35 year old Ghotour bridge. The Karun 3 Dam is one of a series of huge hydroelectric projects that have been built along the Karun River which has the greatest discharge of any river in Iran and is hence the most important power producing waterway in the country. At 205 meters from top to bottom, the double curvature Karun 3 Dam became the tallest in the country upon its completion in 2005. The even larger Karun 4 Dam began operations in 2011 with a foundation to crest height of 230 meters. For a size comparison, the famous Hoover Dam near Las Vegas is slightly higher then Karun 3 but slightly lower then Karun 4.
The larger West crossing over the main channel of the Karun River has a hinge to hinge span of 252 meters with an overall length of 336 meters. The smaller East span crosses a smaller side canyon with a span of approximately 175 meters and a height of approximately 130 meters. The West span has a much greater span to rise ratio then the East bridge since both are of equal height above the reservoir. The Karun River is sometimes spelled as Karoon or Karoun.
You can see an informative video on the completion of the Karun 3 Dam, spillway operations, the filling of the lake and several nice views of the 2 arches below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8hBgCIHXJc
Another extensive video concentrating more on the construction of the Karun 3 dam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuyQXQc-XsU
A video showing the inauguration of Karun 4 Dam by President Mahmud Ahmadinejad can be seen below with more information on the entire Karun River hydroelectric development.
