The Salto Grande Hydroelectric Complex was built over an area of rapids and rocky slopes in the middle course of the Uruguay River, taking advantage of a natural drop called Salto Grande for hydroelectric generation. It is located at kilometer 342.6 of the Uruguay River, upstream from the cities of Concordia (Argentina) y Salto (Uruguay).
The complex is made up of a central concrete dam y two earth dams, so it is a mixed dam. For its construction, 60,000 tons of iron y 1,500,000 m³ of concretewere used, a volume equivalent to the construction of 1,000 thirty-story buildings. The total evacuation capacity —that is, the maximum amount of water that can pass through the dam structure— is 61,560 m³ per second, while more than 58,000 m³ per second flow through the 58,000 m³ per second.
The historical river flow is 4,700 m³ per second, being the turbine capacity of Salto Grande approximately 8,400 m³ per second. When this flow is exceeded, the spillways are opened to evacuate the surplus. The dam also has two fish ladders with automatic locks that allow the migration of species upstream.
At the top of the dam, called crest, is the International Railway Bridge, which connects the cities of Concordia and Salto.
As a binational entity, Salto Grande considers that effective institutional communication is an essential tool to achieve its organizational objectives. In this sense, the Public Relations Area works to strengthen relations between Argentina and Uruguay, under the principle that “every action communicates an intention” and contributes to the good reputation of the organization. Among its main activities are guided tours of the dam, educational talks on energy and environment, and the organization of photographic, cultural and sporting contests, in addition to the hosting of congresses and seminars.
