Plizio Visual Lab
Deriner Dam
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
energy
Weather…
Water temperature…
The Deriner Dam is a significant engineering feat located on the Çoruh River in Artvin Province, northeastern Turkey. As a double-curvature concrete arch dam, it stands at a height of 249 meters from its foundation, making it one of the tallest dams in the world and the tallest in Turkey upon its completion. The construction process began in 1998, and the dam was officially inaugurated in 2012 to harness the hydroelectric potential of the region. The facility operates with an installed capacity of 670 megawatts, contributing approximately 2.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to the national grid annually. Its reservoir has a storage volume of about 1.97 billion cubic meters, which plays a crucial role in flood control and energy production. The project represents a major investment in Turkey's renewable energy infrastructure and has transformed the local landscape and economic opportunities.
- Location: Turkey
- Nearby: Esenkıyı (50 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -7 | -5 | -1 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 1 | -5 |
| Rain mm | 105 | 85 | 93 | 74 | 75 | 84 | 76 | 85 | 126 | 142 | 131 | 119 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
Towering over the Çoruh River, this double-curvature concrete arch dam represents a pinnacle of Turkish engineering, primarily dedicated to large-scale hydroelectric energy production.
Visiting
While driving across the structure or entering the internal power plant is strictly forbidden for ordinary tourists, the exterior grandeur can be easily appreciated from the surrounding valleys.
Where to view it
The Artvin-Erzurum highway weaves around the deep river gorge, offering numerous elevated pull-offs that provide truly dramatic vistas of the dam's sheer concrete wall and reservoir.
Local products
The rugged landscape of the Artvin province is famous for its unique regional honeys, robust local teas, and traditional hazelnut products available in roadside stalls and local markets.
Active season
Late spring and early summer offer the best conditions, as melting mountain snow fills the dramatic reservoir to its brim, creating a spectacular contrast with the verdant green canyon walls.
Nearby
Adventurous travelers highly recommend combining a look at this modern marvel with white-water rafting on the upper Çoruh River and exploring the ancient Georgian monasteries scattered across the Artvin region.
Geography
Facts
- Height of 249 meters
- Located on the Çoruh River
- 670 MW installed capacity
- Built between 1998 and 2012
- 1.97 billion m³ storage volume
- Double-curvature arch design
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Deriner Dam (1)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What characterizes the Deriner Dam?
It is one of the highest dams in Turkey and a technical masterpiece.
Can one visit the facility?
Tourist visits inside the facility are not possible.
Where is the dam located?
It is located on the Çoruh river in the province of Artvin, in the northeast of Turkey.
What is worth seeing in Artvin province?
Artvin is known for its panoramic mountain landscape and nature.
When is the best time to visit Artvin?
Summer months are best suited for hiking and exploring nature.
Deriner Dam: where is it located?
Deriner Dam is located in Turkey.
Deriner Dam: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Deriner Dam: why is it worth visiting?
The Deriner Dam is a significant engineering feat located on the Çoruh River in Artvin Province, northeastern Turkey.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Turkey →
Nearby cities
Batumi
Batumi is the second-largest city of Georgia and a popular resort on the Black Sea coast.
🗺️
Esenkıyı
Esenkıyı is a tranquil village on Turkey's Black Sea coast, offering lush green mountains meeting the sea.
Tsikhisdziri
Tsikhisdziri is a picturesque resort on the Black Sea coast of Georgia, renowned for the ancient Petra Fortress and lush subtropical surr…
Kobuleti
Kobuleti is a popular seaside resort in Adjara with a kilometers-long pebble beach.
Khulo
Khulo is a picturesque mountainous town in the Adjara region, famous for its thrilling alpine cable car.
Ozurgeti
Ozurgeti is the center of the Guria region, surrounded by picturesque tea plantations and hazelnut groves.
Kıyıcık
Kıyıcık is a serene coastal destination on Turkey's Black Sea coast, known for its lush green hills dropping steeply into the dark blue w…
Ureki
Ureki is a popular coastal town on the Black Sea, famous for its unique magnetic black sand beaches known for their healing properties.
Bakhmaro
Bakhmaro is a unique alpine resort sitting above the clouds in the Guria region, famous for its wooden houses and magical mixture of sea …
Nature
More places
Karagöl-Sahara National Park
A bifurcated national park in the northeastern Artvin region, consisting of an idyllic glacial lake and a vast plateau.
Machakhela National Park
This near-natural area near the Turkish border preserves unique mountain forests and traditional cultural landscapes.
Makhuntseti Waterfall
The Makhuntseti Waterfall in the Adjara region is a popular excursion destination.
Mtirala National Park
This national park in Adjara owes its name to the rainy microclimate.
Sarpi Border Crossing
Sarpi is a busy border crossing on the Black Sea coast and plays a central role in trade with Turkey.
Batumi Oil Terminal
The oil terminal in Batumi processes and stores petroleum products from Central Asia and the Caucasus for international maritime transport.
Gonio Fortress
Gonio Fortress on the Black Sea coast is one of the oldest preserved Roman fortifications in the Caucasus.
Batumi Botanical Garden
Located at the Green Cape, the Batumi Botanical Garden is one of the largest and most diverse in the world.