The curved wall
Concrete between two mountains.
Jaba1977 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gaga.vaa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gaga.vaa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nikolai Bulykin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jaba1977 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Enguri Dam is a huge concrete arch dam on the Enguri River, north of the town of Jvari in western Georgia. At 271.5 m it is the world's second-highest concrete arch dam according to Wikipedia. It lies on the road from Zugdidi to Svaneti, so many travellers stop for a few minutes to see its vast curved wall and green lake. Construction began in 1961, the dam became temporarily operational in 1978, and it was completed in 1987. Khrushchev had proposed a dam on another river, but experts warned of its effect on the coast at Pitsunda, so the project moved to the Enguri. It is part of a hydroelectric station partly located in Abkhazia. From the roadside parking area you see an arc of grey concrete curving between two mountains, an old yellow crane above it and a blue-green reservoir stretching towards the peaks. Forest climbs the surrounding slopes, and the water level changes greatly with the season, exposing white rock when low, so the scene differs from visit to visit. It is about 31 km in a straight line from Zugdidi, on the road to Mestia. Stopping at the roadside viewpoint is enough. Do not enter restricted areas, and follow the signs. Bring a jacket, as the air is cool near the water. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to nearby Abkhazia, so stay away from the administrative line and check official guidance.
Concrete between two mountains.
Blue-green water.
Above the arch.
Enguri River, north of Jvari, Tsalenjikha area, Georgia
Yes. There is a viewpoint on the Mestia road where many tours stop.
Inside visits need arranging, so follow the signs around the installations.