Petit-Saut Dam

The Petit-Saut Dam is a gravity dam on the Sinnamary River about 36 km (22 mi) south of Sinnamary in French Guiana. The primary purpose of the dam is to produce hydroelectric power and it supports a 116 MW power station. Construction on the dam and power station began in July 1989 and placement of concrete for the dam started in July 1992. The dam was complete in February 1993 and the first generator was operational in January 1994. The last went online in 1995.^[1] It is owned by Électricité de France.^[2] Construction of the dam and impounding of its large 3,500,000,000 m³ (2,800,000 acre⋅ft) reservoir led to several environmental issues that continue to be monitored and addressed. These issues include deforestation, greenhouse gases and water deoxidation.^[3]

Petit-Saut Dam
Petit-Saut Dam, 2011.
Location of Petit-Saut Dam in French Guiana
Country	France
Location	Sinnamary, French Guiana
Coordinates	5°3′45.39″N 53°2′51.28″W
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	1989
Opening date	1993; 32 years ago (1993)
Owner(s)	Électricité de France
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
Impounds	Sinnamary River
Height	48 m (157 ft)
Length	740 m (2,430 ft)
Dam volume	410,000 m3 (540,000 cu yd)
Reservoir
Creates	Petit-Saut Lake
Total capacity	3,500,000,000 m3 (2,800,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area	365 km2 (141 sq mi)
Commission date	January 1994-1995
Turbines	4 x 29 MW Kaplan-type
Installed capacity	116 MW