The Karakaya Dam is one of the 21 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project of Turkey, built on the Euphrates River and completed in 1987. The hydroelectric dam generates power with six units of 300 MW, totalling the installed capacity to 1,800 MW.

Conflict with Iraq and Syria

The Euphrates River is an important water source for both Syria and Iraq, and both countries expressed concerns about the Karakaya Dam construction project. A treaty guaranteed a minimum water flow of 500 m3 through the dam.

Involuntary resettlement

According to Terminski (2013), the construction of the Karakaya Dam resulted in involuntary resettlement of approximately 30,000 people.