The Mancotal Dam is an embankment dam on the Tuma River near Asturias in Jinotega Department, Nicaragua. It forms Lake Apanás, the largest reservoir in the country. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports the 50 MW Centro América Plant. The dam was completed and its first generator commissioned in 1964. The second generator was commissioned a year later on 18 March 1965. To generate power, water from the southwestern end of the Lake Apanás flows along a 4,000 m (13,000 ft) long channel before it enters a series of headrace pipes and a penstock. About 3.4 km (2.1 mi) to the south west the penstock meets Centro América Plant where it turns two 25 MW Francis turbines. After generating power the water is then discharged into the Viejo River.[1] To supplement levels in the Lake Apanás, the El Dorado Dam was completed in 1985 and forms Lake Asturias just downstream of the Mancotal Dam. Water from Lake Asturias can be pumped into Lake Apanás. In 1998 heavy rains from Hurricane Mitch severely damaged the Mancotal and El Dorado Dams, over-topping their spillways and nearly destroying the dams. The Virgen Dam downstream on the Viejo River was destroyed but later rebuilt.[2][3]

Mancotal Dam
Location of Mancotal Dam in Nicaragua
Official name	Presa Mancotal
Country	Nicaragua
Location	Asturias, Jinotega Department
Coordinates	13°14′42″N 85°54′07″W
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Opening date	1964; 58 years ago (1964)
Owner(s)	Empresa Nicaragüense de Electricidad (ENEL)
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment
Impounds	Tuma River
Height	50 m (160 ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Lake Apanás
Total capacity	435,000,000 m3 (353,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area	60 km2 (23 sq mi)
Centro América Plant
Coordinates	13°06′24″N 86°03′05″W
Commission date	1964-1965
Turbines	2 x 25 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	50 MW

See also

• Virgen Dam – on the Viejo River.

References