Kamburu Dam
title: "Kamburu Dam" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["energy-infrastructure-completed-in-1974", "hydroelectric-power-stations-in-kenya", "dams-on-the-tana-river-(kenya)", "dams-in-kenya", "dams-completed-in-1974", "underground-power-stations", "machakos-county", "embu-county", "rock-filled-dams"] topic_path: "general/energy-infrastructure-completed-in-1974" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamburu_Dam" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox dam"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Kamburu Dam |
| location_map | Kenya |
| country | Kenya |
| location | Embu County/Machakos County, Eastern Province |
| coordinates | |
| owner | Kenya Electricity Generating Company |
| purpose | Power |
| status | O |
| construction_began | 1971 |
| opening | |
| cost | US$47 million |
| dam_type | Embankment |
| dam_crosses | Tana River |
| dam_length | 730 m |
| dam_height | 52 m |
| res_capacity_total | 123000000 m3 |
| plant_name | Kamburu Power Station |
| plant_operator | Kenya Electricity Generating Company |
| plant_hydraulic_head | 82 m |
| plant_turbines | 3 x 31 MW Francis-type |
| plant_capacity | 93 MW |
| plant_commission | 1974 |
| :: |
| name =Kamburu Dam | image = | image_caption = | location_map =Kenya | country =Kenya | location =Embu County/Machakos County, Eastern Province | coordinates = | owner = Kenya Electricity Generating Company | purpose = Power | status = O | construction_began = 1971 | opening = | demolished = | cost = US$47 million | dam_type = Embankment | dam_crosses = Tana River | dam_length = 730 m | dam_height = 52 m | dam_height_foundation= | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = | spillway_count = | spillway_type = | spillway_capacity = | res_name = | res_capacity_total = 123000000 m3 | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = | res_surface = | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = | plant_name = Kamburu Power Station | plant_coordinates = | plant_operator = Kenya Electricity Generating Company | plant_hydraulic_head =82 m | plant_turbines = 3 x 31 MW Francis-type | plant_capacity = 93 MW | plant_commission = 1974 | plant_decommission = The Kamburu Hydroelectric Power Station, also Kamburu Dam is a rock-filled embankment dam on the Tana River in Kenya which straddles the border of Embu and Machakos Counties in Eastern Province. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 93 MW power station. Construction on the dam began in 1971 and it was completed in 1975, with the power station getting commissioned the same year. US$23 million of the US$47 million project cost was provided by the World Bank. The power station is operated by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and is part of the Seven Forks Scheme.
The 52 m tall dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 123000000 m3. The power station is located underground just below the left toe and contains three 31 MW Francis turbine-generators. The difference in elevation between the reservoir and power station affords a net hydraulic head of 82 m. Water discharged from the power station travels down a 3040 m long tailrace tunnel before reaching the Tana at Gitaru Reservoir.
References
References
- "Kamburu Power Station". Kenya Electricity Generating Company.
- "Kenya - Kamburu Hydroelectric Project (English)". World Bank.
- (31 May 1971). "Kenya - Appraisal of the Kamburu Hydroelectric Project". World Bank.
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