Alparslan-1 Dam (Turkish: Alpaslan I Baraj) is a dam and hydroelectric power plant in Turkey’s Muş Province. The dam’s foundation was placed in 1994, and work on the superstructure started in 1998. In 2008, the dam began to fill its reservoir, and the first of four 40 MW units went online in 2009. In 2012, the second was constructed.
Constructions, cemeteries, and bridges developed on the land as a result of the reduced water level of the Alparslan-1 Dam in Mus. One of the area’s residents, Bekir Guler, stated:
“It has not rained in the region for about 7 months. Previously, we were fishing here every day in order to contribute to our economy, but our boats are stranded because the waters have largely receded.”
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Due to this year’s drought, the Alparslan-1 Dam, which was built between the varto and bulanik districts in 1995, began holding water in 2008, and produces 500 million kilowatt hours of energy per year, has seen its occupancy rate drop to 44%.
Old structures, tombs, and bridges in the villages of Erentepe and Gülçimen, which were under the dam water of Alparslan-1 Dam, also surfaced. According to Bekir Guler, their village has received very little rain since the spring. He added:
“The old bridges, roads and houses connecting the flooded village of Gulçimen and the town of Erentepe have been uncovered. Previously, we were fishing here every day in order to contribute to our economy, but our boats are stranded because the waters have largely receded.”