11.05.2026 16:50
Due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt, the water level in Elazığ's Keban Dam has risen. In response to the potential flood risk, the dam's 6 spillway gates have been reopened after 7 years.
Due to recent effective rainfall and snowmelt, intense water inflow has occurred into the reservoir at the Keban Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant located in the Keban district of Elazığ.
The dam, which was commissioned on September 9, 1974 on the Euphrates River, saw its water level approach the maximum level, leading to a decision to open the drainage gates.
6 DRAINAGE GATES OPENED
To mitigate potential flood risks, 6 drainage gates of the Keban Dam were opened, initiating a water discharge of 361 cubic meters per second.
The gates of the Keban Dam were previously opened in 1993, 2004, and 2019 due to heavy rainfall. Thus, the dam gates were opened for the fourth time after a 7-year interval.
CITIZENS CAME TO WATCH THE MOMENT
The powerful water flow from the dam gates also attracted the attention of citizens. Many people who came to the area recorded the moments with their mobile phone cameras.
Özcan Karadere, who said he was passing through the region on his way from Gaziantep to Giresun, stated that he stopped when he heard the gates would open.
Karadere said, "After the dry years, it is encouraging that rainfall has been abundant this year. We watched the gates open, and it was a beautiful moment for us."
"A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR OUR COUNTRY"
Citizen Ercan Tuncel expressed that the Keban Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant are an important value for Turkey and said it is gratifying that the water level has approached the maximum point again after many years.
The opening of the gates was also followed by the 9th Regional Director of DSI Ömer Açıkgöz, Keban Deputy Mayor Abdullah Demir, Keban Dam and HEPP Operations Manager Bekir Kaya, and some institutional representatives.