Macho de Monte Dam

Macho de Monte Dam
Macho de Monte Dam Location of Macho de Monte Dam in Panama
Coordinates	8°41′15″N 82°36′32″W / 8.687590°N 82.608967°W / 8.687590; -82.608967 (Macho de Monte Dam)
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Opening date	1937
Power Station
Turbines	2 x 1.25 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	2.5 MW

The Macho de Monte Dam, officially known as Central Hidroeléctrica Macho de Monte, is a Hydroelectric Power Station in Tierras Altas, Chiriquí^[1]. It has an installed capacity of 2.5 MW^[2] with a net head of 71.8 metres (236 ft)^[1]. The original structure, which was built in 1937, was the first to be built in the country^[2]. The dam & powerhouse were rebuilt in 2001 under a repowering program with the aim of maximizing the energy output.^[2]

The Dam is situated on the Macho de Monte River, just upstream of the Macho de Monte Canyon, a popular tourist attraction.^[3] It features a weir-type intake in a gallery built into the dam body and connected to the canal; this type of intake is known as a Tyrolean-type intake, designed specifically for rivers with a steep gradient and coarse sediment material, which is the case here. During heavy water flows, between 4.0 and 5.0 m³/sec is diverted.^[1]

The total length of the intake is 9 metres (30 ft), which is equal to the length of the dam. The intake is situated with a 10.00% gradient. The dimensions of the intake are 9 metres (30 ft) x 1.50 metres (4 ft 11 in) horizontally; these dimensions correspond to the size of the grates that hold off any large sediment from entering the water intake. The area upstream of the dam is filled with silt, no reservoir is created by the dam.^[1]

The canal begins after the sluice gate at the end of the water intake and has a trapezium-shaped cross-section approximately 5 metres (16 ft) wide, 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) deep and approximately 990 metres (3,250 ft) long. Most of it is not lined and consists of a section of soil containing rocks from the naturally found in the region.^[1]

At the end of the canal begins the steel drop pipe, which has a length of 150 metres (490 ft) and a vertical drop of 71.8 metres (236 ft). The powerhouse is equipped with two horizontal-shaft 1,25 MW Francis turbines. The powerhouse is controlled remotely using a "Centro de Control de Generación (CCG) vía VSAT" system.^[2] The Powerhouse, situated at the bottom of the canyon, is protected from floods of the Macho de Monte River by concrete protective walls. Access to it is provided with a 50 metres (160 ft) high staircase.^[1]

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