Today we visited the Mae Khlong River for a tour and information session about EGAT, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the Srinagarind Dam.

The whole facility was beautiful, from the gorgeous area of the mountains the headquarters were situated into the breathtaking view of the Mae Khlong River created by the company. The dam itself is a magnificent testament to modern technology and human ingenuity, being a structure of 140 meters tall with a base width of 586 meters and a crest of 15 meters with pedestrian access. The dam has a capacity  of 12,064 million cubic meters of water at bay to be used in local agriculture and in electricity production. It has 5 gigantic pipelines used to funnel the water between reservoirs, pipes 1-3 haves diameter of 6-4.5 meters and use a vertical shaft, Francis turbine to convert the water’s immense gravitational potential energy to electricity while 4 and 5 are 7-5 meters in diameter and also use the Francis turbines as well as reversible pump turbines. This allows EGAT pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper to refill the dam and make the electricity conversion more efficient.

The control room completed the facility as it was a clean, organized, and well staffed room full of the latest technology and engineers who can control and operate each pump by monitoring their inputs and outputs everyday and night.  The engineers are valued members of their community and work tirelessly to control the monsoon rains and to dampen the effects of seasonal droughts.

The EGAT team is no stranger to scenic views and at the top of the dam is a memorial for the dam’s namesake, Princess Srinagarind. There is a commemorative sundial to remind people of her message to make the most out of every day. This and the local Buddha shrine help to encapsulate the bounds of the facility and create wonderful destinations for photos and reflection.