Ambuklao Dam Reservoir

Here is my Tuesday contribution to @juliank's @photocontests under the category #landscapephotography.

Photo taken using Nikon D5000.

You can read more about @photocontests here

The schedules for other categories for @juliank's photo contest are:

Monday: #foodphotography and #animalphotography
Tuesday: #landscapephotography and #cityscapephotography
Wednesday: #architecturalphotography and #vehiclephotography
Thursday: #macrophotography and #colourfulphotography
Friday: #streetphotography and #portraitphotography
Saturday: #sportsphotography and #smartphonephotography
Sunday: #goldenhourphotography and #longexposurephotography

DAMN! WHAT A DAM!

In the 1950s, Ambuklao Dam was constructed to cater to Luzon's needed energy. It was then the largest in the Far East. In fact, it was the highest dam built soaring 129 meters and spanning 452 meters in width. There is a roadway that runs across the top of the dam and has an elevation of 756 meters. There are eight gates at the spillway with each spillway measuring 12.5 x 12.5 meters and 127 meters in length.

Under Three Presidents

Under the watch of President Manuel A. Roxas, National Power Corporation and Westinghouse International made a study for possible hydroelectric system and Ambuklao was the possible choice. One factor is that Agno River is the longest natural waterway. Thereby providing 75 MW of energy.
It was during President Elpidio Quirino when the project was initiated. They have to hire consultants and contractors outside the country to do the job. Six years later, under President Ramon Magsaysay, on December 1956, the facility was finally started.

From High to Low

Ambuklao Dam can be found in Bokod, Benguet. This dam utilizes the Agno River and other tributaries like the Bokod River. Agno River courses the mountains of the Cordilleras and goes down to the province of Pangasinan to the Lingayen Gulf where it finally drains to the South China Sea. The dam also serves to control flood and the irrigation system of the fields of Pangasinan.

Powered Down, Powered Up

The massive 1990 earthquake that shook Luzon made major damages to the facility and the dam had to be shutdown in 1999. It was only in 2008 that rehabilitation began. SN Aboitiz Power Benguet, Inc. bought the plant through a public bid and the rehabilitation was completed in 2011. The rehabilitation included replacement and/or repairs of all major components in addition the building of a new intake. With these new development, the dam can power 105 MW from 75 MW.

SN Aboitiz Power Benguet, Inc. is an undertaking of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power. During the bidding of Ambuklao Dam, the nearby Binga Dam is included in the package. Thus, SN Aboitiz Power also owns Binga Dam.

Community Sustainability

This undertaking has helped the local community in providing employment. Water quality was improved as well as proper water waste disposal and protection of the environment are being implemented. SN Aboitiz Power also established a fund for the development of communities in Ambuklao. This fund will help in the environment, tourism, healthcare, social and educational aspects.

This project was approved by UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which confirms that this will lessen the emission of CO2.

Tourist Dam-nation (Dam Destination)

The reservoir created a beautiful artificial lake. With its strategic location, the surrounding mountains with trees around and bluest skies on perfect day will certainly make you in tune with nature. perfect for picture taking with those beautiful backdrop. Located 36 miles from Baguio City, this is for those who have nowhere else to go when you have visited everything about Baguio. Baguio is such a small place that you can tour it in one day. That is if the road is yours with no other cars around.

You can ride one of the boats that the locals use as a means of transportation. Swimming or snorkeling is a no-no. (I wonder if skinny dipping is allowed though lol!) SN Aboitiz Power also set up fishpens to foster livelihood and since fishing activity is allowed that will surely attract more tourists.

If you don't like to fish, you can always buy fresh fish like tilapia along the way.

How to Get There
From the city proper, take the road that goes to Pacdal Circle. This road leads to The Mansion and Mines View. Take the Pacdal Road through Ambuklao Road. When you reach the bridge that forks to Ambuklao and Bokod, take the Ambuklao Road which will then take you to the Ambuklao Spillway.

Travel time: 1.5 hours.

!steemitworldmap 16.458603 lat 120.740726 long Ambuklao Dam d3scr

Back in 2011 during the inauguration of the plant, we were there to cater and help in the two-day program along with one local band of brothers and students from Cordilleras who hosted and provided entertainment. Another local dance troupe, Metamorphosis, also presented during the event. Metamorphosis is the brain child of Ms. Karen Anton who serves as the lead dancer and mentor of the group.

Below is the group of students of University of Cordilleras called Hapiyoh Mi Cultrual Group.

The band of brothers who serenaded the audience. After the last day of the inauguration, they had a gig in one of the local bars here in Baguio and we went there to celebrate and reward ourselves after the successful event, unwind and hear them play and sing again.

All photos are mine. Photo collage was done through Canva.