Yacyreta Dam

Yacyretá dams the Paraná between Paraguay and Argentina near Ayolas, a run-of-river scheme built jointly by the two countries and completed in stages from 1994, generating a substantial share of both national grids. The reservoir flooded a large area and displaced tens of thousands of people, and the entity that runs the dam operates compensation and environmental programmes as a result, including wildlife refuges on islands in the reservoir. Tours of the powerhouse and the works are run for visitors and must be booked with documents in advance. The Isla Yacyretá refuge holds capybara, deer, caimans and birds, and the Ayolas fish ladder and hatchery can also be visited.

History

The dam is named after Yacyretá Island just upstream, from the Guaraní jasy retã, "land of the moon", much of which it submerged; its lake rises 21 metres above the old river level and covers 1,600 square kilometres. Until February 2011 the reservoir stood seven metres below its planned level, and in 2012 the plant reached its record output of 20.091 TWh (Wikipedia, Yacyretá Dam).

What to look for

• The powerhouse - the turbine hall and works on the guided tour.
• The reservoir - the flooded reach of the Parana behind the dam.
• The island refuge - the wildlife reserve in the reservoir.
• The fish ladder - the passage and hatchery at the dam.

When to go

April to October in the cooler dry months. Tours run to a set schedule on weekdays and must be booked in advance with identification. Weekends have reduced or no tours.

Practical notes

Tours must be booked ahead with documents and are refused on arrival. The reservoir flooding displaced large numbers of people, which the official presentation treats lightly. Ayolas has limited facilities. Photography inside the works is restricted.

Nearby

Ayolas lies beside the dam; San Ignacio Guazu is northwest.

Key facts