List of Top 10 Major Dams in India

Dams are not a new invention; they have been built for thousands of years to control water flow and generate hydroelectric power. These are important structures that help manage water resources.

The earliest known dam was built in Jordan around 3000 BC to provide irrigation for crops in the region.

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A dam is a large barrier built over a river or stream to block the flow of water. They provide water for drinking, irrigation and industry, and help support agriculture and communities.

In this article, we will take a look at the various dams in India and how they contribute to the country’s water management and energy needs.

India has a long history of dam-building, with many important projects helping to transform the landscape and improve people’s lives.

List of major dams in India

Below is a list of the top 10 major dams in India that provide water for irrigation, hydropower and flood control.

These structures play a vital role in managing water resources and supporting agricultural and industrial activities in the country. The list includes:

Dam name	Place	river	Height (meters)	Length (meters)	Dam type	Reservoir capacity (acre feet)	Installed capacity (MW)	Purpose
tehri dam	Uttarakhand	Bhagirati	260.5	Chapter 575	pile of rocks	2,100,000	1,000	See more : Optical Illusion Eye Test: Can you Find the Hidden Panda in this Optical Illusion within 15 Seconds? Hydropower, irrigation
baklanangal dam	himachal pradesh	Sutlej	225	520	concrete gravity	7,501,775	1,325	See more : Optical Illusion Eye Test: Can you Find the Hidden Panda in this Optical Illusion within 15 Seconds? Hydropower, irrigation
hirakud dam	Orissa	Mahanadi	61	25,790	synthetic	4,779,965	347.5	flood control, irrigation
nagarjuna sagar dam	Telangana	krishna	124	4,863	masonry	9,371,845	816	Irrigation, hydropower
sardar sarovar dam	gujarat	narmada	138.68	1,210	concrete gravity	18,000,000	1,450	See more : Optical Illusion Eye Test: Can you Find the Hidden Panda in this Optical Illusion within 15 Seconds? Hydropower, irrigation
Sri Saran Dam	andhra pradesh	krishna	145	1,670	pile of rocks	3,660,000	1,670	See more : Optical Illusion Eye Test: Can you Find the Hidden Panda in this Optical Illusion within 15 Seconds? Hydropower, irrigation
indira sagar dam	madhya pradesh	narmada	92	Chapter 653	fill soil	12,220	1,000	See more : Optical Illusion Eye Test: Can you Find the Hidden Panda in this Optical Illusion within 15 Seconds? Hydropower, irrigation
idukki dam	kerala	Periyar	138.68	650	arch	2,000	780	hydroelectric power
coyna dam	Maharashtra	coyna	196	1,200	concrete gravity	3,640	1,960 people	hydroelectric power
tongabhadra dam	Karnataka	tongabhadra	49.77	2,200	concrete gravity	1,600	70	irrigation

Source: Indiawris.gov

• Tehri Dam: India’s tallest dam, 260.5 meters high, mainly used for hydroelectric power generation.
• Bhakranangal Dam: The largest dam in terms of height and an important source of irrigation and electricity.
• Hirakud Dam: India’s longest dam, 25.79 km long, used for flood control and irrigation.
• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Known for its masonry structure and huge reservoir capacity.
• Sardar Sarovar Dam: A key player in the Narmada Valley Project with extensive irrigation benefits.
• Srisailam Dam: Important for hydroelectricity and irrigation in southern states.
• Indira Sagar Dam: A large multi-purpose project to provide power and irrigation to Madhya Pradesh.
• Idukki Dam: An arch dam famous for its scenic beauty and hydroelectric power generation.
• Koyna Dam: Critical for energy supply in Maharashtra with high installed capacity.
• Tungabhadra Dam: Supports agriculture through its irrigation capacity.

importance of dams in india

Dams and reservoirs play a vital role in India’s infrastructure and development. Here are the key points highlighting their importance and types:

• Water supply: Dams create reservoirs that store water for drinking, agriculture and industry, ensuring a reliable supply even during dry seasons.
• Irrigation: They provide essential irrigation to vast farmland, making a significant contribution to food security and rural livelihoods.
• Hydropower: Many dams are equipped with hydroelectric plants, generating renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Flood control: Dams help regulate river flows, reducing the risk of flooding in downstream areas during heavy rains.
• Recreation: Reservoirs often become recreational sites for activities such as fishing, boating, and tourism, promoting local economic development.
• Ecosystem support: Well-managed reservoirs can support local ecosystems by maintaining water levels and quality.
• Navigation: Dams can improve navigation on rivers by stabilizing water levels and facilitating transportation and trade.

Type of dam

• Gravity dams: These dams rely on their weight to resist the force of water. They are usually made of concrete or masonry (e.g. Bakla Dam).
• Arch Dams: These dams curve upstream and transmit water pressure to the canyon walls. They are very effective in high pressure environments such as the Idukki Dam.
• Embankments: These dams are constructed of earth materials with broad foundations and are usually used in areas with loose soil (e.g. Hirakud Dam).
• Rockfill Dams: These dams are made of compacted rock material and provide stability and drainage capabilities (e.g., Tehri Dam).
• Masonry Dams: These dams are constructed of stone or bricks and are designed to withstand huge water pressures (e.g. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam).
• Concrete faced rockfill dams: These dams combine rockfill material with a concrete face to prevent leakage and increase strength (e.g. Sardar Sarovar Dam).
• Barrage: A low-head diversion structure that controls the flow of a river without creating significant water storage (e.g., Farakka Barrage).

in conclusion

Dams such as Bhakra Nangal and Sardar Sarovar have played an important role in hydroelectric power generation, greatly meeting the country’s energy needs while promoting sustainable development.

However, the geopolitical landscape surrounding water resources is increasingly complex. China’s proposal to build large-scale hydropower projects on the Brahmaputra River has caused serious concern in India.

The “mega dam”, with an estimated capacity of 60 gigawatts, could alter water flow patterns, impact agriculture and increase flood risks in downstream areas such as Assam.

The strategic implications of the project are likely to heighten tensions between the two countries, especially given China’s historical reluctance to share hydrological data.

However, India has numerous dams across states, each playing a key role in water management and economic growth.

Among them, Maharashtra has the largest number of dams, with a total of more than 2,300 dams as of 2018.

In comparison, Madhya Pradesh ranks second, with about 900 dams, mainly used to support irrigation and drinking water supplies, but also to produce hydroelectric power.

Gujarat ranks third with about 630 dams, which were originally built as flood control measures and later expanded for purposes such as providing drinking water and irrigation services.

Chhattisgarh, meanwhile, has about 250 dams, but the number is less compared to other states.

Finally, Karnataka joins the top five with around 230 dams, making extensive use of them for tasks ranging from water storage and supply to preventing floods and harnessing hydropower potential.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion