The Kpong Dam, also known as the Akuse Dam, is a hydroelectric power generating dam on the lower Volta River near Akuse in Ghana. It is owned and operated by Volta River Authority. It was constructed between 1977 and 1982. Its power station has a capacity of 148 MW with all four units running, though the total nameplate capacity is 160 MW. The project supplements power production from Akosombo Dam, for the melting of aluminium at VALCO in Tema. The project is located about 24 km downstream of Akosombo Dam, and is about 80 km from the city of Accra. Because the reservoir upstream of the dam is relatively small, the plant operates as a "run-of-the-river" project, with river flow controlled at Akosombo. The design head of water at the plant is 11.75 m; the low head required the use of unusually large turbines for their power rating, with a Francis runner diameter of 8.2 m. The powerhouse is 148 m long, 40 m wide and 64 m. The main dam is made of earth with rockfill facing and is 18 m high and 240 m long. Dikes on the banks are 2100 and 3500 m long. The spillway has a design capacity of 20000 m3/s and has 15 radial gates, each 11 m wide by 13.5 m high, with a total length of 280 m. The civil contractor for the project was Impregilo of Italy. Other components of the project include a 161 kV switchyard and transmission lines, four villages constructed to house people displaced by the project, and road construction. In addition to power generation, the project provides irrigation water for agriculture, and municipal water supply. Bilharzia is a health hazard in the region which has increased since the construction of the dam.