# Madden Dam

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_Dam
> Source revision: 1316055979
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|Dam in Panama}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox dam
| name                 = Madden Dam
| name_official        =
| image                = Madden Dam.jpg
| image_size           =
| image_caption        = Madden Dam in 1989
| image_alt            =
| location_map         =
| location_map_size    =
| location_map_caption =
| coordinates          = {{coord|9|12|40|N|79|36|59|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country              = [Panama](/source/Panama)
| location             =
| status               =
| construction_began   =
| opening              = 1935
| demolished           =
| cost                 =
| owner                =
| dam_type             =
| dam_height           = {{Convert|67|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_thalweg   =
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_length           = {{Convert|274|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_crest      =
| dam_width_base       =
| dam_volume           =
| dam_elevation_crest  =
| dam_crosses          =
| spillway_count       =
| spillway_type        =
| spillway_capacity    =
| res_name             = [Lake Alajuela](/source/Lake_Alajuela)
| res_capacity_total   =
| res_capacity_active  =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment        =
| res_surface          =
| res_elevation        =
| res_max_depth        =
| res_max_length       =
| res_max_width        =
| res_tidal_range      =
| plant_operator       =
| plant_commission     = 1935
| plant_decommission   =
| plant_type           =
| plant_turbines       = 3 x {{convert|12|MW|abbr=on}} [Francis-type](/source/Francis-type)
| plant_capacity       = {{convert|36|MW|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title= Hydroelectric Plants in Panama |url= http://www.industcards.com/hydro-panama.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130126061043/http://www.industcards.com/hydro-panama.htm |url-status= usurped |archive-date= 26 January 2013 |website= Power Plants around the World |publisher= IndustCards |accessdate= 7 June 2013 }}</ref>
| plant_annual_gen     =
| website              =
| extra                =
}}
'''Madden Dam,''' completed in 1935, impounds the [Chagres River](/source/Chagres_River) in Panama to form [Lake Alajuela](/source/Lake_Alajuela), a reservoir that is an essential part of the [Panama Canal](/source/Panama_Canal) drainage basin.  The lake has a maximum level of {{convert|250|ft}} above sea level.  It can store one third of the canal's annual water requirements for the operation of the locks. Since the reservoir is not part of the navigational route, there are fewer restrictions on its water level.

The Madden Dam was built to prevent the occasionally torrential flow of the once wild Chagres River, which flows into the navigational route of [Gatun Lake](/source/Gatun_Lake), and to control the water level of the lake during the dry season. The river's unruly flow posed a major challenge to the construction of the Panama Canal, which was originally addressed by the construction of [Gatun Dam](/source/Gatun_Dam). Water from the dam's reservoir is also used to generate hydroelectric power and to supply Panama City's fresh water. When completed, the dam and the reservoir behind it were named for the late US Representative [Martin B. Madden](/source/Martin_B._Madden) (R-Illinois).{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} The reservoir was renamed [Lake Alajuela](/source/Lake_Alajuela) after the Canal Zone reverted to Panamanian control at the end of 1999.{{citation needed|date=May 2016|reason= EB article cited does not include this name change; the link at WP:Lake Alajuela that could support it has gone dead as well. }}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/104356/Chagres-River?anchor=ref2960 |title=Chagres River |website= Encyclopædia Britannica online | accessdate=2011-12-18}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Panama|Water|Renewable energy}}
* [List of power stations in Panama](/source/List_of_power_stations_in_Panama)

==References==
{{Commons category|Madden Dam}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Panama Canal}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:Dams completed in 1935
Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1935
Category:Panama Canal
Category:Dams in Panama
Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Panama
Category:1935 establishments in Panama

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Madden Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_Dam) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_Dam?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.