Bokod, Benguet

Ambuklao Dam

Engineering Marvel and Hydropower Giant in Benguet

PUBLISHED November 17, 2016

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

Visiting Ambuklao Dam, it’s striking to see how human engineering and nature converge in the Cordillera mountains. The massive rock-fill embankment, wide reservoir, and the rolling Agno River below provide both visual and technical fascination. Standing by the dam, it’s easy to reflect on its decades-long history, from its post-war construction and earthquake challenges to its modern rehabilitation. The scale, precision, and purpose of the dam make it a landmark that feels alive, not just as infrastructure but as part of the surrounding landscape and community.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Ambuklao Dam with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Ambuklao Dam. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Ambuklao Dam is located in Barangay Ambuclao, Municipality of Bokod, Benguet, roughly 36 kilometers from Baguio City in northern Luzon. It spans the Agno River within the Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve, a protected watershed area that supplies water downstream while contributing to flood control and irrigation. This strategic location makes the dam crucial not only for energy but also for regional water management and environmental protection.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

Technical Snapshot

The dam is a central core rock-fill embankment measuring approximately 129 meters in height and 452 meters across the crest. Its original reservoir capacity was around 327 million cubic meters, covering a catchment area of about 690 square kilometers. Equipped with three Francis horizontal-shaft turbines, the plant initially generated 75 MW of electricity, later expanded to 105 MW after rehabilitation, producing roughly 332 GWh annually. When first built, Ambuklao Dam ranked among the largest hydroelectric plants in the country, stabilizing Luzon’s power grid and supporting post-war growth.

A Historical Journey: From Vision to Reality

The vision to harness the Agno River for power, irrigation, and flood management started in the late 1940s. Preliminary studies began in 1948, and construction commenced in July 1950 under the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR). International support came from Harza Engineering (consulting designs) and Guy F. Atkinson Co. (construction). By December 23, 1956, the dam was operational, initially generating 75 MW, with its inauguration under President Ramon Magsaysay marking a milestone in post-war infrastructure.

Challenges and Decline

Over the decades, Ambuklao Dam faced significant challenges. The 1990 Luzon earthquake caused structural damage, while siltation build-up from soil erosion and deforestation reduced reservoir capacity, leading to operational cessation in 1999. For more than a decade, the dam remained inactive, affecting local economies and shifting how communities interacted with the reservoir.

Rehabilitation and Renewal

In 2007, SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-Benguet) acquired Ambuklao Dam along with Binga Dam for privatization. Rehabilitation included installing new intake structures and penstocks, de-silting old tunnels, and replacing turbines, generators, transformers, and control systems. By October 2011, the dam was fully operational at 105 MW, functioning today as a peaking power plant, helping provide electricity during peak demand and contributing to grid stability.

Environmental and Water Management Role

Beyond power generation, Ambuklao Dam modulates river flows, supporting flood control during typhoons and monsoons, and sustains irrigation systems for agricultural lands downstream. Its reservoir and surrounding zones are part of a conservation effort focused on watershed protection, though sedimentation and deforestation remain ongoing challenges.

Today and Beyond

Ambuklao Dam continues to be a strategic part of Luzon’s renewable energy network. Its rehabilitation shows how historic infrastructure can serve modern needs when upgraded thoughtfully. With continued investment and environmental stewardship, it remains a vital landmark in the Cordillera mountains, balancing energy production, community benefit, and ecological care.

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