The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has confirmed that the Lolak Dam in North Sulawesi, valued at IDR 1.6 trillion (about U$ 104 million) is ready to be inaugurated in 2024.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, said the dam, covering an inundated area of 101 hectares, has been gradually filled with water since August 18, 2023.
“We take the advantage of the current rainy season to optimize the filling of the dam. Next, we await the approval from the Palace for the inauguration of the Lolak Dam, possibly in early 2024,” said Endra in a statement, quoted on Thursday.
Endra explains that the Lolak Dam, constructed in 2015, is one of the 61 dams expected to be completed and operational by 2024.
Head of the Sulawesi River Basin Office (BWS), I Komang Sudana, said the Lolak Dam, with a capacity of 16.23 million cubic meters, will offer benefits to locals. It will not only serve as a water source for irrigation of a 2,214-hectare agricultural area but also provide raw water at a rate of 500 liters per second.
The Lolak Dam will also function as a hydropower plant with a potential energy capacity of 2.43 megawatts (MW) and flood control, reducing flood discharge by 12 percent. Additionally, the dam is expected to become a new tourist destination in the Bolaang Mongondow area, while the former excavation area can be utilized for productive Fruit plantation. Currently, the physical construction of the Lolak Dam is complete, and the water reservoir’s elevation has reached a height of over 106.170 meters, approximately 53% of the total capacity.
“It has passed the intake elevation at more than 99 meters but has not reached the elevation beyond 114.5 meters,” said Komang.
