Carite Dam

About Carite Dam

The primary purpose of Carite Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (public utility). It impounds the La Plata River near Guayama.

The dam stands 104 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 333 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 17,349 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/15/2021.

At 104 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Puerto Rico dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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