Bawanur Dam
Coordinates34°50′29.07″N 045°31′49.74″E
CountryIraq
Kurdistan Region
LocationBawanur in Sulaymaniyah Governorate
PurposePower, irrigation, flood control
StatusUC
Construction began2013
Opening2018 est.
CostUS$200 million
OwnerKurdistan Regional Government
Dam crossesDiyala River
Dam length1,190 m (3,900 ft)
Dam height23 m (75 ft)
Dam elevation crest300 m (980 ft)
Dam width crest9 m (30 ft)
Dam width base148 m (486 ft)
Dam volume1,108,000 m3 (1,449,000 cu yd)
Res capacity total31,000,000 m3
Res catchment20,142 km2 (7,777 sq mi)
Res surface4.15 km2 (1.60 sq mi)
Plant commission2018 est.
Plant turbines4 x 8 MW Kaplan-type
Plant hydraulic head16 m (52 ft) (net)
Plant capacity32 MW

The Bawanur Dam is an earth-fill dam under construction on the Sirwa River, just upstream of the town of Bawanur in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The 23 m (75 ft) tall dam is designed to support a 32 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station. In addition to power generation, the project aims to provide flood control and irrigation water.

Construction works initially began in August 2013 after the Kurdistan Regional Government signed a US$200 million contract with the Romanian firm Hidroconstrucția for the construction of the dam and power station. However, work was later suspended due to the financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region.

Construction activities resumed in February 2025. Following the 2021 earthquake in Iran, whose seismic effects were felt at Darbandikhan Dam and in the Bawanur Dam project area, the dam is currently undergoing redesign studies. The redesign process is being carried out by a consortium of Turkish companies to reassess structural safety and seismic considerations.

See also