The Petit-Saut Dam is a gravity dam on the Sinnamary River about 36 km (22 mi) south of Sinnamary in French Guiana. The primary purpose of the dam is to produce hydroelectric power and it supports a 116 MW power station. Construction on the dam and power station began in July 1989 and placement of concrete for the dam started in July 1992. The dam was complete in February 1993 and the first generator was operational in January 1994. The last went online in 1995.[1] It is owned by Électricité de France.[2] Construction of the dam and impounding of its large 3,500,000,000 m3 (2,800,000 acre⋅ft) reservoir led to several environmental issues that continue to be monitored and addressed. These issues include deforestation, greenhouse gases and water deoxidation.[3]

Petit-Saut Dam
Petit-Saut Dam, 2011.
Petit-Saut Dam is located in French Guiana
Petit-Saut Dam
Location of Petit-Saut Dam in French Guiana
CountryFrance
LocationSinnamary, French Guiana
Coordinates5°3′45.39″N 53°2′51.28″W / 5.0626083°N 53.0475778°W / 5.0626083; -53.0475778
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction began1989
Opening date1993; 31 years ago (1993)
Owner(s)Électricité de France
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity, roller-compacted concrete
ImpoundsSinnamary River
Height48 m (157 ft)
Length740 m (2,430 ft)
Dam volume410,000 m3 (540,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
CreatesPetit-Saut Lake
Total capacity3,500,000,000 m3 (2,800,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area365 km2 (141 sq mi)
Commission dateJanuary 1994-1995
Turbines4 x 29 MW Kaplan-type
Installed capacity116 MW

References

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  1. ^ "RCC Dam Database (Petit Saut)". Malcolm Dunstan & Associates. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Hydroelectric Plants in French Guiana & Suriname". IndustCards. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  3. ^ "PETIT SAUT Environmental report after 12 years running" (PDF). Comite Scientifique Petit-Saut. 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
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