Here in this article, we are going to cover the Biggest Dam in India in terms of Power and Production Capacity.
Dams are the masterpiece of civil engineering wonders. They are considered to be one of the toughest and strongest tangible structures in the world. They are so powerful that even a high explosive shell could not bring a crack on its concrete walls easily. To block up massive rivers and to create hydro-electricity or simply control big reservoirs are not at all easy. The way they are built using tons of concrete blocks with a mix of stone, earth, bricks and steel is simply incredible.
As you all know that dams are very important for us to survive efficiently. They not only provide electrical energy to our houses but also provide water for domestic, industry and irrigation purposes. In India, there are nearly 4200 small and big dams that have been constructed by the end of the year 2016. Being rivers land, India has great potential to make a good amount of electricity production each year. Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) are few major Indian government organizations who are working ingeniously to strengthen DAMS Projects in India.
Below, we have compiled the list of the 15 Most Powerful and Biggest Dam in India:
1) Koyna Dam (Maharashtra)
Maharashtra has the maximum number of large-scale dams in India, which are about 1845 in number. Koyna Dam is one of the biggest dams in India in terms of power production. And largest in Maharastra in terms of height (which is about 103 meters). It is a rubber- concrete type dam and is built on the Koyna River. The Koyna River is considered the ‘lifeline of Maharashtra because of its electricity generation capacity. The principal purpose of the Koyna dam is hydroelectricity and for some irrigation in neighboring regions. It has a total production capacity of about 1920 MW. Koyna is the biggest dam in India which makes it number one on our list.
Koyna dam – Image 1 (Aerial View)Koyna dam – Image 2 (Font View)Koyna dam – Image 3 (all spillway opening view)
Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam (Koyna)
Rubble and concrete dam
Height
103.2 m (339 ft)
Impounds
Biradar River
Length
807.2 m (2,648 ft)
Koyna Dam Reservoir Details:
Name
Shivajisagar Lake
Surface area
891.78 km2 (344 sq mi)
Total capacity
2,797,400,000 m3
Power Station & Turbines:
Koyna dam foot powerhouse:
2 X 20 MW
Stage 1:
4 X 70 MW
Stage 2:
4 X 75 MW
Stage 3:
4 X 80 MW
Stage 4:
4 X 250 MW
Total
18 Francis turbines
Total Installed capacity
1,960 MW
2.) Nathpa Jhakri Dam (Himachal)
The second-biggest Indian dam in terms of power and production capacity is Nathpa Jhakri Dam. It is a concrete gravity dam on the Sutlej river in Himachal Pradesh, India. Hydroelectric power generation is the primary purpose of the dam and it provides water to a 1,530-megawatt through its underground power station. Water is redirected into a 27.4 km (17 mi) headrace tunnel prior to arriving at the power station. Construction started on the project in 1993 and was completed in 2004. In March 2004, the last two of the 250 megawatts Francis turbine-generators went live. It is a property owned by SJVN Ltd.
Nathpa Jhakri Dam – Image 1 (Side Dam view)Nathpa Jhakri Dam – Image 1 (Spillway opened view)
Nathpa Jhakri Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Concrete gravity
Height
67.5 M
Impounds
Satluj River
Length
185 m (3,978 ft)
Spillway Capacity
5,660 m3/s
Reservoir Details:
Name
Satluj Reservoir
Surface area
234 km2
Total capacity
3,430,000,000 m3
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
SJVN Ltd
Opening year
2004
Turbines Dam
6 x 255 MW
Total Installed capacity
1,550 MW
3.) Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat)
Sardar Sarovar Dam is the third biggest dam in India. It has a height of 163 meters. The length of the Sardar Sarovar Dam is 1,210 meters. On September 17, 2017, Sardar Sarovar dam was inaugurated by the present Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The head power plant of this dam has about six 200 MW Francis pump-turbines, which are used to generate hydro-electricity. Adding to this, there five 50 MW Kaplan turbine-generators in the power plant on the intake for the main canal. The total power capacity is 1,450 MW, making it the 3rd biggest dam on our list.
Sardar Sarovar Dam – Image 1 (Front View with all spillway opened)Sardar Sarovar Dam- Image 2 (Aerial View)
Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Gravity dam
Height
138.6 m
Impounds
Narmada River
Length
1210 m (3,978 ft)
Spillway Capacity
84,949 m3/s
Sardar Sarovar Reservoir Details:
Maximum water depth
140 M
Surface area
375.33 km2 (144.92 sqmi)
Total capacity
9.5 km3 (7,700,000 acre⋅ft)
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited
Opening year
2017
Turbines Dam
6 × 20 MW Francis pump-turbine
Turbines Canal
5 × 50 MW Kaplan-type
Installed capacity
1,450 MW
4.) Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh)
The next biggest and highest dam on this list is the Bhakra Nangal Dam which is present in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is again built on the river Satluj (Bilaspur). Bhakra Nangal Dam is the Second highest dam and the fourth biggest dam in India. It has a height of 226 meters and a length of 520 meters. It is a concrete gravity type of dam. This dam forms the ‘Gobind Sagar Lake Reservoir’ which has a capacity of 7,501,775 acre•ft. It produces a power range of about 1325 MW. this dam is really beautiful and a must-see when visiting the Himachal Pradesh- Punjab border.
The highest dam in India is the Tehri Dam. It is also the 8th tallest dam in the world. It has a height of 260 meters and has a length of 575 meters, Also it has a reservoir capacity of 2,100,000 acres. ft. It is situated on the Bhagirathi River. Tehri Dam is said to produce 1,000 MW of hydro-electricity. The first phase of creating the ‘high rock and earth-fill embankment dam’ was completed in 2006. The next two phases of the project are under construction. Once they are completed, it will generate 2400 MW of power, making it the most powerful dam in India.
Tehri Dam – Image 1 (Aerial View)Tehri Dam – Image 2 (Side View)
Tehri Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Embankment, earth and rock-fill
Height
260.6 m
Impounds
Bhagirathi River
Length
575 m
Spillway Capacity
15,540 m3/s
Tehri Reservoir Details:
Maximum water depth
140 M
Surface area
52 km2
Total capacity
3,200,000 acre⋅ft
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
THDC INDIA LIMITED
Opening year
2006
Turbines Dam
4 x 250 MW Francis pump-turbine
Max. Planned Turbines
2,400MW
Installed capacity
1,000 MW
6.) Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh)
The next sixth most powerful and big Dam on this list is the Indira Sagar dam. It has been built on the Narmada river in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It stands at a height of 92 meters. It is a concrete gravity-type dam. It is situated in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. Of the many projects on the Narmada River, the Indira Sagar project was the key project for aiding in the water shortage issue. Indira Sagar Dam also has one of the biggest reservoirs in India with a capacity of 7,904,454 acre-ft. It has an installed capacity of 1000 MW.
Indira Sagar dam – Image 1 (Side View)Indira Sagar dam – Image 1 (back View)
Indirasagar Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Gravity dam
Height
92 M
Impounds
Narmada River
Length
655 m
Spillway Capacity
NA
Indirasagar Reservoir Details:
Name
Indira Sagar Reservoir
Surface area
NA
Total capacity
9,890,701 acre⋅ft
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
NHDC
Opening year
2005
Turbines Dam
8 × 125 MW Francis turbines
Total Installed capacity
1,000 MW
7.) Karcham Dam (Himachal Pradesh)
It’s a 1,000-megawatt dam that runs on the river Satluj through Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Dam is also commonly known as Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant because it is located between the villages of Karcham and Wangtoo. A memorandum of understanding to build the dam was signed by Jaypee Karcham Hydro Corporation Limited of the Jaypee Group in 1993 and construction of the power station began on 18 November 2005 after years of delays. Jaypee Group sold the Karcham Wangtoo Project to JSW Group in 2015. It is a 7th most power generation dam in India.
Karcham Wangtoo Dam – Image 1 (Front Dam View)Karcham Wangtoo dam – Image 2 (Aerial View)
Karchham Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Gravity Dam
Height
98 M
Impounds
Satluj River
Length
178 M
Spillway Capacity
4,660 m3/s
Reservoir Details:
Name
Satluj Reservoir
Surface area
588 km2
Total capacity
NA
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
JSW Group
Opening year
2011
Turbines Dam
4 x 250 MW Francis-type
Total Installed capacity
1,000 MW
8.) Pandoh Dam (Himachal Pradesh)
In the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India, the Pandoh Dam is built (as an embankment dam) on the Beas River. The dam was completed under the Beas Project in 1977 and its primary purpose is to produce hydroelectric power. It diverts the waters of the Beas to the southwest into a 38 km long chain of tunnels and channels as part of a run-of-the-river power scheme. At the Dehar Power House, the water is used for power generation before being discharged into the Sutlej River, linking both rivers. This powerhouse has 990 MW of installed capacity.
Pandoh Dam – Image 1 (Aerial View)Pandoh Dam – Image (Spillway Open)
Pandoh Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Embankment dam
Height
72 M
Impounds
Beas River
Length
255 m
Spillway Capacity
9,939 m3/s
Pandoh Reservoir Details:
Name
Pandoh Lake
Surface area
1.7 km2
Total capacity
33,239 acre-ft
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
Beas Construction Board
Opening year
1977
Turbines Dam
6 x 165 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity
990 MW
9.) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Telangana)
At the height of 124 meters, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the world’s largest masonry dam. It was built across Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana). Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is without any doubt the vanity of India, as it is the largest man-made lake in the world. The 1.6 km stretch with about 26 gates dam is seen as the symbol of modern India’s architectural and technological victory over the ever strong nature. It has an installed capacity of 816 MW.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Image 1 (Front View)Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Image 2 (Side View)Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Image 2 (Close Front View)
Nagarjuna Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Masonry dam
Height
124 M
Impounds
Krishna River
Length
1550 m
Spillway of dam
471 m
Nagarjuna Reservoir Details:
Name
Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir
Surface area
285 km2
Total capacity
11.56 km3
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited, Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation
Opening year
1967
Turbines Dam
1 x 110 MW Francis turbine, 7 x 100.8 MW reversible Francis turbines
Installed capacity
816 MW
10.) Koldam (Himachal Pradesh)
The ninth dam on our list of the biggest dam in India is Koldam. It is an embankment dam on the Satluj River (upstream of the Dehar Power House). It is off the Chandigarh-Manali Highway (NH-21) near Barmana, Himachal Pradesh, 18 km from Bilaspur. Hydroelectric power generation is the main purpose of the dam and a total of 800 MW power is generated. The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) built the dam. The foundation stone for the dam was laid by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 5 June 2000. Significant work began on the dam on 14 January 2004.
The Kol Dam – Image 1 (back view of the dam)The Kol Dam – Image 1 (front view of the dam)
Koldam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Embankment Dam
Height
153 M
Impounds
Satluj River
Length
474 m
Spillway Capacity
16,500 m3/s
Koldam Reservoir Details:
Name
Satluj Reservoir
Surface area
576,000,000 m3
Total capacity
40 km2
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
NTPC Limited
Opening year
2015
Turbines Dam
4 x 200 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity
800 MW
11.) Idukki Dam (Kerala)
The Idukki Dam is the tenth biggest dam in India and on our list. It is a double-curved Arch Dam built in a narrow gorge between two granite hills locally known as Kuravan and Kurathi in Kerala, India, across the Periyar River. It is one of the tallest arch dams in Asia, at 168.91 metres. It is established and operated by the Board of State Electricity of Kerala. It supports Moolamattom’s 780 MW hydroelectric power station, which began generating power on 4 October 1975. With long-term loans and grants, the Government of Canada assisted in the construction of the dam.
Idukki Dam – Image 1 (Aerial view)Idukki Dam – Image 2 (beautiful side view of the dam)Idukki Dam – Image 3 (Sidewall view)
Hirakud dam has been built across the Mahanadi River in the state of Orissa. it is one of the longest dams in the world with a length of about 26 km. One of the not so common features of this beautiful and powerful dam is that there are two observation towers present on it. One of the towers is “Gandhi Minar” and another one is “Jawahar Minar”. The reservoir of the Hirakund Dam is 55 km long. It is used as a multipurpose scheme, primarily intended for flood control, irrigation, and power generation. It has a reservoir capacity of 4,779,965 acre•ft and an Installed Capacity of 347.5 mW. It is the 7th biggest dam in India.
Hirakud Dam – Image 1 (Side View)Hirakud Dam – Image 2 (back View)
Hirakud Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Composite Dam
Height
62 M
Impounds
Mahanadi River
Length
4800 m
Spillway Capacity
64 sluice-gates, 34 crest-gates, 42,450 cubic metres per second
Hirakud Reservoir Details:
Name
Mahanadi Reservoir
Surface area
NA
Total capacity
5,896,000,000 m3
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
Odsiha Govt.
Opening year
1957
Turbines Dam
Power House I (Burla): 2 x 49.5 MW, 3 x 37.5 MW, 2 x 32 MW Kaplan-type Power House II (Chiplima): 3 x 24 MW
Installed capacity
348 MW
13.) Rihand Dam (Uttar Pradesh)
The Rihand Dam, also known as ‘Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar’, is the largest dam (by volume) in India. It was built and started during the period from 1954-62. The reservoir of the Rihand Dam is located on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is a concrete gravity-type dam. It has a total capacity of 300 MW and the powerhouse of the Rihand Dam is present at the toe of the dam. The maximum height of the Rihand dam is 91.44 m.
Rihand Dam : Image 1 (Front View)Rihand Dam : Image 2 (all spillway open)
Rihand Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Gravity dam
Height
91.5 M
Impounds
Rihand River
Length
934 m
Spillway Capacity
NA
Rihand Reservoir Details:
Name
Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar
Surface area
13,333.26 km2
Total capacity
10.6 billion cubic metres
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
UP Govt.
Opening year
1962
Turbines Dam
6 x 50 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity
300 MW
14.) Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu)
Mettur Dam is the most beautiful dam in India which is built across the Kaveri River at Salem district in the state of Tamil Nadu. It has a height of 120 ft. It was built in 1934, making it one of the oldest dams of India. This dam has the biggest and the most power generating capacity among all the ones in Tamil Nadu. Not only is this an important source of power and hydroelectricity but is also an important source of tourism in Tamil Nadu. Many Bollywood and Tollywood movie scenes are filmed here. The dam and the river are a great attraction for the explorers. It has an installed capacity of 200 MW. making it the 13th powerful dam India.
Mettur Dam – Image 1 (Aerial view from side)Mettur Dam – Image 2 (view from Front)
Mettur Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Gravity dam
Height
214 M
Impounds
Cauvery River
Length
1700 m
Spillway Capacity
NA
Mettur Reservoir Details:
Name
Stanley Reservoir
Surface area
NA
Total capacity
93.4 billion ft³
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
Tamil Govt.
Opening year
1934
Turbines Dam
4 X 30 MW 2 X 40 MW
Installed capacity
200 MW
15.) Krishnarajasagar Dam (Karnataka)
Last on our list is KRS Dam. As one of the prime and largest dams built on the Kaveri River (which is one of India’s major rivers), Krishnarajasagar dam is built across the Kaveri River near Mysore in Karnataka, South India. Kaveri is one of the most important and beautiful rivers in India. Also, there is a Famous and really beautiful Brindavan Gardens which is a part of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. It is the most beautiful garden you can visit in Mysore and one of the best in India.
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam – Image 1 (front view)Krishna Raja Sagara Dam – Image 2 (all spillway open)
K.R.S. Dam and Spillways:
Type of dam
Gravity dam
Height
92 M
Impounds
Narmada River
Length
655 m
Spillway Capacity
NA
K.R.S. Reservoir Details:
Name
Indira Sagar Reservoir
Surface area
NA
Total capacity
9,890,701 acre⋅ft
Power Station & Turbines:
Operator(s)
NHDC
Opening year
2005
Turbines Dam
8 × 125 MW Francis turbines
Installed capacity
1,000 MW
List of other 60 Major Dams in India
Name of The Dam
State
River
Alamatti Dam
Karnataka
Krishna River
Baglihar Dam
Jammu and Kashmir
Chenab River
Bansagar Dam
Madhya Pradesh
Sone River
Bargi Dam
Madhya Pradesh
Narmada River
Barna Dam
Madhya Pradesh
Barna River
Bhatsa Dam
Maharashtra
Bhatsa river
Chamera Dam
Himachal Pradesh
Ravi River
Chandil Dam
Jharkhand
Swarnarekha River
Dantiwada Dam
Gujarat
Banas River
Dharoi Dam
Gujarat
Sabarmati River
Dhauli Ganga Dam
Uttarakhand
Dhauli Ganga River
Dumkhar Hydroelectric Dam
Jammu and Kashmir
Indus River
Gandhi Sagar Dam
Madhya Pradesh
Chambal River
Gangapur Dam
Maharashtra
Godavari river
Girna Dam
Maharashtra
Girana river
Harangi Dam
Karnataka
Harangi River
Indravati Dam
Odisha
Indravati River
Jalaput Dam
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Border
Machkund River
Jayakwadi Dam
Maharashtra
Godavari River
Kadana dam
Gujarat
Mahi River
Kadra Dam
Karnataka
Kalinadi River
Khadakwasla Dam
Maharashtra
Mutha River
Kodasalli Dam
Karnataka
Kali River
Kolkewadi Dam
Maharashtra
Vashishti River
Kundala Dam
Kerala
Kundala Lake
Linganamakki dam
Karnataka
Sharavathi River
Lower Manair Dam
Telangana
Manair River
Maithon Dam
Jharkhand
Barakar River
Malampuzha Dam
Kerala
Malampuzha River
Mettur Dam
Tamil Nadu
Kaveri River
Mid Manair Dam
Telangana
Manair River
Mula Dam
Maharashtra
Mula river
Mullaperiyar Dam
Kerala
Periyar River
Mulshi Dam
Maharashtra
Mula River
Narayanpur Dam
Karnataka
Krishna River
Neyyar Dam
Kerala
Neyyar River
Nizam Sagar Dam
Telangana
Manjira River
Panchet Dam
Jharkhand
Damodar River
Panshet Dam
Maharashtra
Ambi River
Parambikulam Dam
Kerala
Parambikulam River
Pawna Dam
Maharashtra
Maval River
Peechi Dam
Kerala
Manali River
Perunchani Dam
Tamil Nadu
Paralayar River
Radhanagari Dam
Telangana
Bhogawati River
Rajghat Dam
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Border
Betwa River
Singur dam
Telangana
Manjira River
Somasila Dam
Andhra Pradesh
Pennar River
Srisailam Dam
Andhra Pradesh
Krishna River
Supa Dam
Karnataka
Kalinadi or Kali river
Tansa Dam
Maharashtra
Tansa river
Tunga Bhadra Dam
Karnataka
Tungabhadra River
Ujani Dam
Maharashtra
Bhima River
Ukai Dam
Gujarat
Tapti River
Upper Manair Dam
Telangana
Manair River and Kudlair River
Uri Hydroelectric Dam
Jammu and Kashmir
Jhelum River
Vaigai Dam
Tamil Nadu
Vaigai River
Vaitarna Dam
Maharashtra
Vaitarna river
Walayar Dam
Kerala
Walayar River
Wilson Dam
Maharashtra
Pravara River
Yeldari Dam
Maharashtra
Purna river
Conclusion:
In terms of percentage, Maharashtra has 41.29% of India’s Large Dams when compared to the other States of India. The state has the maximum number of dams in India right now. Kallanai Dam is one of the oldest dams in India, which was built across the Kaveri river in Thogur, Tamil Nadu (got constructed around 2 A.D by a Tamil King ‘Karigalan’ of the Chola Dynasty). The Hirakud Dam is the longest major earthen dam in India, measuring 25.8 km (including dikes, and stands across the river Mahanadi).
Telaiyya dam jharkhand has been omitted