Vidraru Dam, a colossal structure and one of Romania’s key sights

Vidraru Dam is one of the most important tourist attractions in Argeș County and also an important strategic site of Romania’s energy system. When its construction was completed, the dam ranked 8th in Europe and 20th in the world for its height (166 metres).

Vidraru reservoir covers 893 hectares. The dam collects the waters of the Buda and Capra rivers and of a few direct tributaries, both to prevent unwanted flooding and to produce electricity.

How long did it take to build Vidraru Dam? About five and a half years, with around 10,000 people taking part, most of the workers coming from Moldavia, where the Bicaz dam had just been built. No corners were cut on materials, and the power station is equipped with modern turbines and generators and state-of-the-art equipment.

The construction of Vidraru Dam in figures:

• 42 km of underground galleries drilled
• 1.77 million cubic metres of rock excavated
• 930,000 cubic metres of concrete poured (400,000 cubic metres underground)
• 6,300 tonnes of electromechanical equipment
• 22 vertical blocks
• 9 horizontal galleries
• 10,000 workers
• 1.47 billion lei investment cost

The workforce was truly impressive, with tens of thousands of hours of work carried out in very difficult conditions. Unfortunately, there were also accidents with victims, which were never discussed. Officially there were 80 deaths, but the real figure is said to be 400 lives lost.

Vidraru Dam was put into use in 1966, and its strength has been proven over time. It passed the most important test, the earthquake of 1977, with flying colours, without a single crack.

In 1974, however, it suffered a failure when a gallery and its metal lining broke, so that a significant part of the mountain mass was dislodged. A few houses were completely damaged by the flood, but no other losses were reported. Within 6 hours, the fear of the effects of such a disaster could be forgotten, as important recovery measures were taken.

Vidraru Dam was designed to withstand any earthquake or flood. It is also mentioned in the “Argeș Defence Plan” against disasters, which states that if the dam suffered a major failure, the flood wave would reach the county seat of Argeș in only 72 minutes, at a height of 12 metres.

Specialists regard the dam as a true engineering jewel. The underground power station lies 100 metres below the level of the Argeș riverbed and is 31.70 metres high, 67.8 metres long and 16.7 metres wide. It produces about 400 GWh of electricity, and its installed capacity is 200 MW.

What can you do at Vidraru Dam?

• Enjoy the view and admire the landscape of the mountain range surrounded by water and the dam. The spectacle nature offers is superb and worth capturing in a few photos.
• At the top of a prismatic tower, in line with the dam, stands the monument to electricity, a huge Prometheus with lightning in his hand. The work is attributed to the beloved sculptor Constantin Brâncuși.
• How about a boat trip? A short distance from the dam is the landing stage, from which pleasure cruises are run. It is a real pleasure to enjoy the view up close.
• Love adrenaline? Try an extreme sport, bungee jumping. From time to time, the dam provides the highest point, 166 metres, for this activity.

Do not miss the other important sights nearby:

• Curtea de Argeș Monastery
• Poenari Citadel
• Bâlea Waterfall
• Bâlea Lake
• Transfăgărășan
• Piscul Negru Cave