MAJOR DAMS AND RESERVOIRS OF INDIA
India is country with some of the great rivers like Ganga, Narmada, Brahmputra, etc. These rivers are having some of the big dams and largest reservoirs on them like Bhakra dam, Sardar Sarovar dam, Hirakund dam, etc.
The salient features of some of the important dams of India are given below:
1) BHAKRA DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Sutlej at the foot of Shivalik Hills in Himachal pradesh. |
TYPE |
Straight gravity, concrete dam |
LENGTH |
518m |
MAX. HEIGHT |
226m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 9867.8 Mm³ Live storage: 7770.9 Mm³ |
SPILLWAY |
Ogee overflow spillway(Gated – 4 Radial gates) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation 1.48 M.ha (in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan) Power:- Left bank 5 units of 90 MW each, Right bank 5 units of 120 MW each, Installed capacity of 1204 MW |
Location: Across river Sutlej at the foot of Shivalik Hills in Himachal pradesh.
Type: Straight gravity, concrete dam
Length: 518m
Max. height: 226m
Reservoir: Gross storage: 9867.8 Mm³
Live storage: 7770.9 Mm³
Spillway: Ogee overflow spillway (Gated – 4 Radial gates )
Benefits:
Irrigation 1.48 M.ha (in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan)
Power:-
Left bank 5 units of 90 MW each,
Right bank 5 units of 120 MW each,
Installed capacity of 1204 MW
2) HIRAKUD DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Mahanadi 15 km from Sambalpur in Orissa |
TYPE |
Composite dam (earth, masonry and concrete dam) Bed Rock: Hard Granite Gneiss |
LENGTH |
Main dam :- 4800 m, Earthen dykes:- 25800 m Total Length:- 25.79km |
HEIGHT |
60.96m |
RESERVOIR |
Full Reservoir Level: R.L.192.04m Maximum Water Level: R.L.192.04m Dead Storage Level: R.L.179.83m Gross storage: 5896 Mm³ Live storage: 4823 Mm³ |
SPILLWAY |
Ogee (overflow) spillway (Gated – 34 radial gates) Ski-jump Bucket No. of Sluices – 64 |
BENEFITS |
(i) Irrigation : 235477 ha (ii) Power: Hydraulic Head: 26.517m Maximum Discharge: 42,000 cusecs Capacity: 259.5MW (iii) Flood control |
Location: Across river Mahanadi 15 km from Sambalpur in Orissa.
Type: Composite dam (earth, masonry and concrete dam)
Length:
Main dam :- 4800 m,
Earthen dykes:- 25800 m
Height: 60.96 m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 5896 Mm³
Live storage: 4823 Mm³
Spillway: Ogee (overflow) spillway (Gated – 34 radial gates)
Benefits:
(i) Irrigation : 235477 ha
(ii) Power: Installed Capacity is 259.5 MW
(iii) Flood control
3) UKAI DAM:
LOCATION |
This dam is located near village Ukai at fort Songarth, district Surat and Tapi district. It is constructed across rive Tapi. It is the largest reservoir in Gujarat. |
TYPE |
Earth-cum masonry dam |
LENGTH |
Embankment wall is 4927 m long |
HEIGHT |
80.77m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 7414.29 Mm³ Live storage: 6729.89 Mm³ |
|
|
SPILLWAY |
Gated ogee with ski-jump (22 Radial gates) |
BENEFITS |
i) Irrigation and flood control ii) Hydropower : Installed capacity: 300 MW 4 units of 75 MW each |
Location:
This dam is located near village Ukai at fort Songarth, district Surat and Tapi district. It is constructed across rive Tapi. It is the largest reservoir in Gujarat.
Type: Earth-cum masonry dam
Length: Embankment wall is 4927 m long
Height: 80.77 m
Reservoir: Gross storage: 7414.29 Mm³
Live storage: 6729.89 Mm³
Spillway: Gated ogee with ski-jump (22 Radial gates)
Benefits:
i) Irrigation and flood control
ii) Hydropower :
Installed capacity: 300 MW
4 units of 75 MW each
4) SARDAR SAROVAR DAM:
LOCATION |
It is located near village Navagam district Rajpipala in Gujart. It is constructed on Narmada river. It is the largest dam and part of the Narmada Valley Project. |
TYPE |
Concrete, gravity dam (second largest concrete gravity dam by volume after Grand Coulee Dam in US). |
LENGTH |
1210m |
HEIGHT |
163m |
RESERVOIR |
Total capacity – 7,701,775 acre-ft/9,500 Mm³ Active capacity – 4,702,137 acre-ft/ 5,800 Mm³ |
SPILLWAY |
Ogee spillway |
BENEFITS |
Multi-purpose project Irrigation 1.79 Mha of land in areas of Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat, 75000 ha land in the arid districts of Barmer and Jalore of Rajasthan and 37,500 ha land in the hilly tribal region of Maharashtra by lift irrigation. There is provision of 0.131 Mha-m of water for domestic water supply. Power: Installed capacity: 1450 MW 6 units of 200 MW each (River-bed-powerhouse) 5 units of 50 MW each (Canal head power house) Others flood control, water supply, recreation, etc. |
Location: It is located near village Navagam district Rajpipala in Gujart. It is constructed on Narmada river. It is the largest dam and part of the Narmada Valley Project.
Type: Concrete, gravity dam (second largest concrete gravity dam by volume after Grand Coulee Dam in US).
Length: 1210 m
Height: 163 m
Narmada Control Authority gave the final clearance to raise the height from 121.92 m to 138.68m.
Reservoir: Total capacity – 7,701,775 acre-ft/9,500 Mm³
Active capacity – 4,702,137 acre-ft/ 5,800 Mm³
Spillway: Ogee spillway
Benefits:
Multi-purpose project
Irrigation 1.79 Mha of land in areas of Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat, 75000 ha land in the arid districts of Barmer and Jalore of Rajasthan and 37,500 ha land in the hilly tribal region of maharashtra by lift irrigation. There is provision of 0.131 Mha-m of water for domestic water supply.
Power: Installed capacity: 1450 MW
6 units of 200 MW each (River-bed-powerhouse)
5 units of 50 MW each (Canal head power house)
Others flood control, water supply, recreation, etc.
5) IDUKKI DAM:
LOCATION |
Idukki dam is constructed across the river Periyar at Idukki Kottayam district of Kerala |
TYPE |
Double curvature arch dam in concrete |
LENGTH |
366m |
HEIGHT |
169m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 2106.8 Mm^3 Live storage: 1544.5 Mm^3 |
SPILLWAY |
There is no spillway at Idukki dam. The excess water is discharged over a spillway on the adjacent Cheruthoni dam. |
BENEFITS |
Power: 6 units of 130 MW each Installed capacity 780 MW |
Location: Idukki dam is constructed across the river Periyar at Idukki Kottayam district of Kerala.
Type: Double curvature arch dam in concrete
Length: 366m
Height: 169m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 2106.8 M.cu.m.
Live storage: 1544.5 M.cu.m.
Spillway:
There is no spillway at Idukki dam. The excess water is discharged over a spillway on the adjacent Cheruthoni dam.
Benefits:
Power: 6 units of 130 MW each
Installed capacity 780 MW
6) NAGARJUNASAGAR DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Krishna near Nandikonda village in Nalgonda district about 144 km from Hyderabad in Andhra pradesh. |
TYPE |
Stone masonry and earthen dam |
LENGTH |
Stone masonry – 978 m, Spillway – 472 m, Earthen – 3415 m |
MAX. HEIGHT |
124m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 11538.7 Mm^3 Live storage: 6797 Mm^3 |
SPILLWAY |
Ogee spillway (Gated – 26 radial gates) |
BENEFITS |
i) Irrigation : 0.83 Mha ii) Power: 1 unit of 110 MW 7 unit of 100.8 MW 706 pumped storage Installed capacity 816 MW |
Location:
Across river Krishna near Nandikonda village in Nalgonda district about 144 km from Hyderabad in Andra pradesh.
Type: Stone masonry and earthen dam.
Length : Stone masonry – 978 m, Spillway – 472 m, Earthen – 3415 m
Height: 124m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 11538.7 M.cu.m.
Live storage: 6797 M.cu.m.
Spillway: Ogee spillway (Gated – 26 radial gates)
Benefits:
i) Irrigation : 0.83 Mha
ii) Power: 1 unit of 110 MW
7 unit of 100.8 MW 706 pumped storage
Installed capacity 816 MW
7) TEHRI DAM:
LOCATION |
Tehri dam is located at new Tehri town, Tehri district, Uttarkhand constructed across river Bhagirathi |
TYPE |
Earth and rockfill dam |
LENGTH |
570m |
HEIGHT |
261m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 3539 Mm³ Live storage 2615 Mm³ |
SPILLWAY |
Open channel chute spillway (Gated – 7 Tainter gates) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation and Power generation Power: Installed capacity – 1000 MW Max. planned – 2400 MW |
Location: Tehri dam is located at new Tehri town, Tehri district, Uttarkhand constructed across river Bhagirathi
Type: Earth and rockfill dam
Length: 570 m
Height: 261m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 3539 Mm³
Live storage 2615 Mm³
Spillway: Open channel chute spillway (Gated – 7 Tainter gates)
Benefits:
Irrigation and Power generation
Power:
Installed capacity – 1000 MW
Max. planned – 2400 MW
8) KOYNA DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Koyna at Deshmukhwadi near Helwak in Satara district of Maharashtra, Dam is about 240 km South of Mumbai |
TYPE |
Rubble concrete dam (Gravity dam) |
LENGTH |
808m |
HEIGHT |
103m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 2775.33 Mm³ Live storage: 2676.6 Mm³ |
SPILLWAY |
Controlled spillway, Tainter gates |
BENEFITS |
Power generation and some irrigation Power: Stage 1 – 4 units of 70 MW each Stage 2 – 4 units of 75 MW each Stage 3 – 4 units of 80 MW each Stage 4 – 4 units of 250 MW each Foot power house 2 x 20 MW each Installed capacity: 1960 MW each |
Location: Across river Koyna at Deshmukhwadi near Helwak in Satara district of Maharashtra, Dam is about 240 km South of Mumbai.
Type: Rubble concrete dam (Gravity dam)
Length: 808m
Height: 103m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 2775.33 Mm³
Live storage: 2676.6 Mm³
Spillway: Controlled spillway, Tainter gates
Benefits:
Power generation and some irrigation
Power:
Stage 1 – 4 units of 70 MW each
Stage 2 – 4 units of 75 MW each
Stage 3 – 4 units of 80 MW each
Stage 4 – 4 units of 250 MW each
Foot power house 2 x 20 MW each
Installed capacity: 1960 MW each
9) TUNGBHADRA DAM:
LOCATION |
This dam is located near Hospet town Karnataka and has been constructed across river Tungbhadra. |
TYPE |
Masonry dam with central spillway section and earth dam and composite dam on the left side |
LENGTH |
2449m (Non overflow 1748 m, spillway 701m) |
HEIGHT |
49m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage 3767 Mm^3 Live storage 3701 Mm^3 |
LIVE STORAGE |
|
SPILLWAY |
Ogee type spillway (Gated-33 Nos.) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation and hydropower Power: Installed capacity 126 MW (14 units of 9 MW each) |
Location: This dam is located near Hospet town Karnataka and has been constructed across river Tungbhadra.
Type: Masonry dam with central spillway section and earth dam and composite dam on the left side.
Length: 2449m (Non overflow 1748 m, spillway 701m)
Height: 49m
Reservoir:
Gross storage 3767 Mm^3
Live storage 3701 Mm^3
Spillway: Ogee type spillway (Gated-33 Nos.)
Benefits: Irrigation and hydropower
Power: Installed capacity 126 MW(14 units of 9 MW each)
10) GANDHI SAGAR DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Chambal about 8 km downstream of Chaurasigarh fort in Mandsaur district near Jhalawar Road Railway station Madhya pradesh |
TYPE |
Straight gravity stone masonry dam |
LENGTH |
514m (Non overflow 260m, Spillway 254 m) |
HEIGHT |
62.17m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage 7746 Mm^3 Live storage 6920 Mm^3 |
LIVE STORAGE |
|
SPILLWAY |
Ogee spillway (Gated – 10 vertical gates) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation: 222585 ha. (In Madhya Pradesh from Kota Barrage). Power: 5 units of 23000 KW each |
Location: Across river Chambal about 8 km downstream of Chaurasigarh fort in Mandsaur district near Jhalawar Road Railway station Madhya Pradesh.
Type: Straight gravity stone masonry dam
Length: 514 m. (Non overflow 260m, Spillway 254 m)
Height: 62.17 m
Reservoir: Gross storage 7746 Mm^3
Live storage 6920 Mm^3
Spillway: Ogee spillway (Gated – 10 vertical gates)
Benefits:
Irrigation: 222585 ha. (In Madhya Pradesh from Kota Barrage).
Power: 5 units of 23000 KW each
11) KRISHNARAJA SAGAR DAM:
LOCATION |
Krishnaraja Sagar dam is located at Krishnaraja Sagara, Karnakata, constructed Cauvery river (tributaries Hemavathy and Lakshamanathirtha) |
TYPE |
Masonry dam |
LENGTH |
2621m |
HEIGHT |
43m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage 1368.8 M.cu.m Live storage 1244.2 M.cu.m |
LIVE STORAGE |
|
SPILLWAY |
Ogee type (Gates – 152 Lift gates) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation, hydropower and recreation |
Location: Krishnaraja Sagar dam is located at Krishnaraja Sagara, Karnakata, constructed Cauvery river (tributaries Hemavathy and Lakshamanathirtha)
Type: Masonry dam
Length: 2621m
Height: 43m
Reservoir:
Gross storage 1368.8 Mm^3
Live storage 1244.2 Mm^3
Spillway: Ogee type (Gates – 152 Lift gates)
Benefits:
Irrigation, hydropower and recreation.
12) RIHAND DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Rihand near village Pipri in Mirzapur district Uttar pradesh 46 km South of its confluence with river Sone |
TYPE |
Straight gravity concrete dam |
LENGTH |
934m |
MAX. HEIGHT |
91.4m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage – 10600 Mm^3 Live storage – 8970 Mm^3 |
SPILLWAY |
Ogee type (Gated – 13 Tainter gates) |
BENEFITS |
Power: 6 units of 50 MW each |
Location: Across river Rihand near village Pipri in Mirzapur district Uttar pradesh 46 km South of its confluence with river Sone.
Type: Straight gravity concrete dam
Length: 934m
Height: 91.4m
Reservoir:
Gross storage – 10600 Mm^3
Live storage – 8970 Mm^3
Spillway: Ogee type (Gated – 13 Tainter gates)
Benefits:
Power: 6 units of 50 MW each
13) RANA PRATAP SAGAR DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Chambal 51.5 km upstream of Kota Barrage and 56.33 km Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh |
TYPE |
Stone masonry gravity dam |
LENGTH |
1143.29m |
HEIGHT |
53.96m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 2900 Mm³ Live storage: 1567 Mm³ |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation 0.1214 Mha (in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from Kota Barrage) Power: 4 units of 43000 KW each |
Location: Across river Chambal 51.5 km upstream of Kota Barrage and 56.33 km Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh.
Type: Stone masonry gravity dam
Length: 1143.29m
Height: 53.96m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 2900 Mm³
Live storage: 1567 Mm³
Benefits:
Irrigation 0.1214 Mha (in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from Kota Barrage)
Power: 4 units of 43000 KW each
14) RANJIT SAGAR DAM:
LOCATION |
Across river Ravi, Gurdaspur district, Punjab |
TYPE |
Earth core rockfill dam |
LENGTH |
878m |
HEIGHT |
160m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 3670 Mm³ Live storage: 2340 Mm³ |
SPILLWAY |
Controlled gated ogee (12 Radial gates) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation, hydropower and flood control. Power Installed capacity: 600 MW (4 units of 150 MW each) |
Location: Across river Ravi, Gurdaspur district, Punjab
Type: Earth core rockfill dam
Length: 878m (Non overflow 661 m, spillway 217 m)
Height: 160 m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 3670 Mm³
Live storage: 2340 Mm³
Spillway: Controlled gated ogee (12 Radial gates)
Benefits:
Irrigation, hydropower and flood control.
Power Installed capacity: 600 MW
(4 units of 150 MW each)
15) RAMGANGA DAM
LOCATION |
Across river Ramganga 3.2 km upstream near Kalagarh in district Garhwal of Uttarkhand |
TYPE |
Masonry, earth and boulder fill dam |
LENGTH |
743 m (Non overflow 630 m, Spillway 113 m) |
HEIGHT |
128 m (above the lowest point of foundation) |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 2196 Mm³ |
Live storage: 1941.5 Mm³ |
|
SPILLWAY |
Chute spillway (5 Tainer gates) |
BENEFITS |
Irrigation: 65900 ha. Power: Installed capacity 198000 KW (3 units of 66 MW each) |
Location: Across river Ramganga 3.2 km upstream near Kalagarh in district Garhwal of Uttarkhand
Type: Masonry, earth and boulder fill dam
Length: 743 m (Non overflow 630 m, Spillway 113 m)
Height: 128 m (above the lowest point of foundation)
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 2196 Mm³
Live storage: 1941.5 Mm³
Spillway: Chute spillway (5 Tainer gates)
Benefits:
Irrigation: 65900 ha.
Power: Installed capacity 198000 KW (3 units of 66 MW each)
16) INDIRA SAGAR DAM:
LOCATION |
This dam is located in Khandwa district of Madhya pradesh and constructed across the river Narmada |
TYPE |
Concrete gravity dam |
LENGTH |
653m |
MAX. HEIGHT |
92m |
RESERVOIR |
Gross storage: 12,200 Mm^3 |
|
|
SPILLWAY |
Overflow Spillway |
BENEFITS |
Power: Installed capacity 1,000 MW (8 units of 125 MW each) and Irrigation in 1230 km² land Indira Sagar Dam has the biggest reservoir in India |
Location: This dam is located in Khandwa district of Madhya pradesh and constructed across the river Narmada
Type: Concrete gravity dam
Length: 653 m
Height: 92 m
Reservoir:
Gross storage: 12,200 Mm^3
Live storage: 9,750 Mm^3
Benefits:
Power: Installed capacity 1,000 MW (8 units of 125 MW each)
and Irrigation in 1230 km² land
Indira Sagar Dam has the biggest reservoir in India