Dez Dam
Commissioned in 1963, Dez Dam combines hydropower generation, reservoir storage, irrigation supply and flood control. Its decision relevance rests on the interaction between basin water availability, sediment management, agricultural water demand and electricity-system needs.
Strategic and market-access role
Dez Dam is a high-relevance water and power asset in the Hormuz Graph because it sits on one of Khuzestan’s major river systems, linking upstream water control to electricity generation, agricultural irrigation, urban demand, and industrial resilience in southwest Iran. Its role is especially important in a province where oil, gas, agriculture, steel, and population centers all depend on water and power reliability. The asset connects public infrastructure, environmental stress, river-basin management, and productive land use rather than functioning as a standalone commercial project. Supports electricity supply to the national grid while regulating water for irrigation and flood management in southwest Iran.
Operations, capacity & connectivity
Related use cases
Useful for water-risk assessment, hydropower and utility-context analysis, agricultural supply-chain screening, industrial site risk review, and public-project monitoring in Khuzestan. Analysts can use it to understand how river regulation and power infrastructure affect downstream farming, urban services, energy-intensive industries, and environmental constraints. Any project-level decision should verify current water conditions, reservoir management, grid role, and public-sector procurement pathways.
Capacity and service area
Capacity: 520 MW installed hydropower capacity across eight 65 MW units. Reservoir storage capacity: 3.3 billion cubic metres. Service area: Primarily Khuzestan Province for irrigation and power supply to the national grid. Flood-control benefits extend across the lower Dez and Karun river plains.
Industries served
Power generation; irrigated agriculture; water management.
Ownership, operation & expansion
Owner and operator
Owner: Ministry of Energy, Government of Iran. Operator: Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company (IWPRDC), a subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Energy.
Opening or commissioning
1963
Expansion and development projects
No major project to increase generating capacity was identified as of 19 July 2026. Maintenance and rehabilitation activities are ongoing.
Constraints, risk & compliance
Operational constraints
Water availability is exposed to drought conditions in the Dez River basin and upstream water-management practices. Reservoir siltation is also a long-term concern; academic evidence cites average sedimentation of 15–20 million cubic metres per year based on 2005 data.
Key risks and compliance considerations
Hydrological variability and drought can constrain available water for generation, irrigation and flood-control operations. Long-term sedimentation may reduce effective reservoir storage.
Connected Intelligence
Relevant geography, industry, market and execution context for this profile.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions most likely to arise when reviewing this profile.
What is the installed power capacity of Dez Dam?
Dez Dam has 520 MW of installed hydropower capacity, comprising eight 65 MW generating units.
What functions does Dez Dam serve?
The dam combines hydropower generation, irrigation-water supply and flood control. It supports irrigation for approximately 125,000 hectares in the Dez and Karkheh irrigation networks.
Who operates Dez Dam?
Dez Dam is operated by the Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company (IWPRDC), a subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Energy.
What are the principal operational constraints?
Key constraints include drought-related water availability in the Dez River basin, upstream water-management practices and long-term reservoir sedimentation. The cited sedimentation rate of 15–20 million cubic metres per year is based on 2005 data.