Chixoy_Hydroelectric_Dam
Chixoy Hydroelectric Dam
Dam in San Cristóbal Verapaz
The Chixoy Dam (Spanish: Planta Hidroeléctrica Chixoy) is a reinforced concrete dam and power plant spanning the Chixoy River between the Departments of Baja Verapaz, El Quiché and Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. It is the largest structure of its kind in the country.
It was built between 1976 and 1985 and generates approximately 15% of the country's electricity.
The dam's construction was very controversial and displaced many indigenous Maya Achi peoples. Government forced relocations resulted in the Río Negro massacres which claimed up to 5,000 lives between 1980 and 1982.