Deriner Dam

Deriner Dam rises about 5 kilometres downstream of the city of Artvin on the Çoruh, one of Turkey's fastest-flowing rivers, and stands as a monumental feat of engineering.

Engineering & History

With a concrete double-curvature arch body reaching 249 metres from its foundation, it is the tallest dam in Turkey and, at the time of its completion, ranked among the highest arch dams in Europe and the world. Construction began in 1998, the reservoir started to fill in early 2012, and the 670-megawatt power station reached full capacity in 2013; generating roughly 2,100 gigawatt-hours a year, it is a cornerstone of the regional economy and national energy supply.

Scenery & Architecture

The turquoise surface of the 1.9-billion-cubic-metre reservoir gathered behind the wall winds between steep slopes and gives the Çoruh Valley an unusual, almost fjord-like appearance. This visual drama makes the dam a powerful draw for travellers and photographers alike. Architecturally, its 720-metre crest length, 60-metre base width and elegant arch that narrows to just a few metres at the top leave visitors with an impression that is at once daunting and beautiful. Its cultural significance goes beyond technical achievement; the dam is the most spectacular link in the cascade known as the 'necklaces of the Çoruh' and a symbol of the region's development story.

Visiting & Access

Its touristic value comes from the observation terraces that overlook the crest from above and from the dam museum, where scale models of the dams planned along the Çoruh Valley are displayed, together with a wildlife museum installed inside an abandoned diversion tunnel. Agencies favour Deriner mainly because it is an easily accessible stop on the Artvin-Borçka route, suitable for coaches and capable of delivering striking images in a short time. The average visit lasts 30 to 60 minutes, extending to about 1.5 hours when combined with the museum. On guided programmes the dam is usually positioned as an interim stop between the Artvin city tour and the Borçka-Karagöl or Şavşat-Maçahel routes. Nearby highlights include the glass viewing terrace of Hatila Valley National Park, Artvin castle, Borçka Karagöl and, further on, the new Yusufeli dam. The best photo spots are the roadside viewpoints that look down onto the dam body and the angles along the reservoir shore; in the early morning the shadow-and-light contrast of the valley yields the most dramatic frames. Access is straightforward by private car or tour, a short drive from central Artvin along a road threaded with numerous tunnels. There is parking and manoeuvring space for coaches around the dam, though the narrow mountain roads demand careful driving. Disabled access to the terraces is partly possible but limited by the sloping ground.

Best Time & Route

The best season to visit is late spring to autumn; summer is the peak period, while winter snow and ice can make the roads difficult. The recommended itinerary is to begin with central Artvin and the Hatila glass terrace, pause at Deriner, then continue toward Borçka and Karagöl.