The Zangmu Dam (藏木) is a gravity dam on the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra River 9 km (5.6 mi) northwest of Gyaca in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This dam is built a few kilometers from the Bhutan-India border. The purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production using run-of-the-river technology.^[7] It is part of the Zangmu Hydropower Project and supports a 510 MW power station. Construction began in 2009 and the first generator was commissioned in November 2014.^[8] The last became operational on 13 October 2015.^[9] It is the first dam on the Brahmaputra/Yarlung Zangbo River and has caused controversy in India.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Quick Facts Official name, Location ...

Zangmu Dam
Location of Zangmu Dam in China
Official name	Zangmu Dam
Location	Gyaca, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Coordinates	29°11′06″N 92°31′00″E
Status	Operational
Construction began	2009
Opening date	2014
Construction cost	9.7 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion)[1]
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity, concrete
Impounds	Brahmaputra River
Height	116 m (381 ft)
Length	389 m (1,276 ft)
Width (crest)	19 m (62 ft)[2]
Width (base)	76 m (249 ft)
Reservoir
Active capacity	86,600,000 m3 (70,208 acre⋅ft) (daily)
Catchment area	157,668 km2 (60,876 sq mi)
Normal elevation	3,310 m (10,860 ft)[3]
Power Station
Commission date	2014-2015
Type	Run-of-the-river
Hydraulic head	53.5 m (176 ft) (nominal)
Turbines	6 x 85 MW Francis-type[4]
Installed capacity	510 MW[5]
Annual generation	2.5 billion kWh est.[6]

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In 1972, the Chinese Academy of Sciences created the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Comprehensive Scientific Expedition which in part studied conditions in the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra River basin. The study concluded that 114,000 MW of hydroelectric power generation capacity could be established in the basin, 79,000 MW from the main stem alone. A more in-depth hydrological study began in 1980 which identified 12 sites for dams. It was envisioned that the dams could alleviate power shortages in Lhasa. During the 1980s and 1990s, work failed to commence in the basin.^[14] Currently, there are 28 proposed dams in the basin, Zangmu being the only one approved for construction.^[15]

In April 2009, China's Gezhouba Group was awarded a $167 million contract for the Zangmu Hydropower Project. According to the company, the contract is for the design and construction of the dam along with its power house to control water flowing downstream to North Eastern India. The project will require 3,400,000 m³ (4,400,000 cu yd) of concrete and 8 million tons of aggregate.^[8] Specifications for the dam are uncertain as China has not shared much information.^[13] On 12 November 2010, the construction reached coffer dam river closure.^[6] The reservoir was impounded and the first generator was commissioned on 23 November 2014. The power station was declared fully operational on 13 October 2015.^[9]

The Zangmu Dam is a 116 m (381 ft) tall and 389 m (1,276 ft) long concrete gravity-type. On its right bank is the spillway, plunge pool and bottom outlet (for silt). On the dam's left bank, the retaining dam section is 80 m (262 ft) tall and the power plant sits at its toe. The entire dam is 76 m (249 ft) wide at its base and 19 m (62 ft) wide at its crest. Sitting at the head of a 157,668 km² (60,876 sq mi) catchment area, the dam's reservoir has a daily active capacity (pondage) of 86,600,000 m³ (70,208 acre⋅ft) and normal reservoir elevation of 3,310 m (10,860 ft). The dam's power station contains six 85 MW Francis turbine-generators for a total installed capacity of 510 MW.^[3]

• List of longest undammed rivers
• List of dams on the Brahmaputra River
• List of dams and reservoirs in China