The Vidraru Dam was completed in 1966 with the primary purpose of serving a hydroelectrical power plant. One of the largest hydroelectric dams in Europe it stands 166 metres tall and can produce as much as 400 GWh of power per year. The Transfagarasan Highway passes over the top of the dam, which is 305 metres in length. The dam - which took more than five years to build - created the artificial Vidraru Lake on the Arges river in 1965. There are boat trips on the lake during the summer. The trips depart as often as demand requires, last for 30 minutes and cost 10 per person.