The Karakaya Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), which began construction in 1976 and was completed in 1987, contributes not only to electricity generation but also to the cultivation of aquatic products and agricultural irrigation in the basin, located at the borders of Diyarbakır, Elazığ, and Malatya.

As Turkey's third-largest dam and second-largest hydroelectric power plant, the water volume in the basin of the Karakaya Dam and HPP has reached a reservoir capacity of 9.5 billion cubic meters due to heavy rainfall.

Due to the water level approaching the maximum in the Karakaya Dam and HPP, which has a total installed capacity of 1800 megawatts with 6 units, two discharge gates were opened on May 11 after a 7-year interval to mitigate the risk of potential flooding.

Subsequently, four more discharge gates were gradually opened, allowing thousands of cubic meters of water to flow out per minute from a total of 6 spillway gates.

The discharge of pressurized water from the dam, which has a height of 173 meters, has turned into a visual spectacle. Sunlight occasionally creates rainbows in the area.

The water discharge process is expected to continue for a while longer.

Citizens visiting the area recorded the beautiful scenery created by the water discharge with their mobile phone cameras.

'We came to watch this beautiful view with my family.'

Cuma Çelik, who was watching the water discharge, told an AA reporter that they came from central Diyarbakır upon hearing that the dam gates had been opened.

Çelik stated, 'We came to watch this beautiful view with my family. I am very happy to see such beauty. It snowed beautifully this winter. Afterwards, there was continuous rainfall. This year, water is gushing from everywhere. Water is even gushing from the dry fountains.'

'I am seeing such a view for the first time.'

Hasan İnal, who came from the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa, also noted that the water discharge from the dam was very beautiful.

İnal remarked, 'The view is quite beautiful and breathtaking. The sound of the water and the droplets flying in the air take your breath away. I am seeing such a view for the first time. I have never witnessed anything like this in my life.'

Abdulmelik Çetin said they came to the area from Malatya upon hearing that the dam gates had been opened.

Çetin expressed, 'For the first time in many years, the gates have been opened. It is very cool here in the hot weather. I do sport fishing, but I have never seen the dam this full.'

Source: SeaNews Türkiye