The Arda Cascade

The Arda is the largest and most flowing river of the Rhodopes and one of the largest tributaries of the Maritsa. It divides into three parts: Upper Arda, Middle Arda and Lower Arda.

The Arda Cascade or Lower Arda Cascade is a hydroelectric cascade in the Eastern Rhodopes along the middle and lower reaches of the Arda River, consisting of a series of dams, hydroelectric power plants and other water and power facilities.

The Arda Cascade is the only major dam system in the country built on a single river. With a total catchment area of 5128 square kilometers and installed capacity, the cascade is one of the largest hydropower plants in Bulgaria, and with a total volume of over 1.2 billion cubic meters, it ranks first in the country. Its main purpose is to generate electricity and regulate the flow of the river