Dams and reservoirs in India are built to meet various purposes like irrigation, electricity generation, and storage of water. There are beautifully built dams in our country that has become a tourist spot because they offer scenic views, pleasure, and adventure. Our country has a total of 4000 dams and there are several small multi-purpose dams too. The major dams provide facilities for fishing and boating, especially for tourists. Tough, strong, and extremely durable dams are an example of architectural and civil engineering marvels. Our country has abundant water resources and multiple rivers so there is huge potential for the construction of new dams in the future. Let’s have a look at the top 10 largest dams in India based on height.
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1. Tehri Dam
Tehri Dam is the highest dam in India and Asia with a height of 261m. The reservoir is located in Uttarakhand across the Bhagirathi river. The water from this river is used for irrigation and the hydroelectric generation of 1000 megawatts. The dam has a length of 575 meters and a water storage capacity of 2100000 ft. Tehri was conceived in 1961 and the work started in 1978 and due to a shortage of funds, and possible environmental hazards, the construction of the dam got postponed and the dam was finally finished in 2006. Tehri Dam is a perfect weekend getaway and it draws a large number of tourists. You can indulge in various activities like water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, rafting, parasailing, and water zorbing.
2. Bhakra Nangal Dam
Bhakra Nangal dam located in Himachal Pradesh is 226m high and it is the second-highest dam in India. The tallest dam with a length of 520m is built across the Sutlej river, located in Bilaspur district. It is the second-largest dam in Asia. Bhakra Nangal Dam is also called Gobind Sagar and can hold 9.34 billion cubic meters of water. On both sides of the dam, ten power generators are protecting the field from waterlogging during monsoon. The multi-purpose dam has the highest gravity on the earth. For security reasons, visitors have prohibited entry since 2009. Bhakra dam is located 15km from Nangal city. The construction of the dam started in 1948 and the construction got over by 1963. The aim to build the reservoir was to prevent flood in the Sutlej-Beas river. The reservoir is the home for different species of fishes including endangered Mahseer.
3. Idukki Arch Dam
Idukki arch dam is a marvelous engineering construction built in south India state, Kerala. The arch dam with a double curvature is built on river Periyar and it has a height of 168.91m. The dam is constructed in a gorge between two hills, kuravathi and kuravan. It is one of the highest arch dams in Asia and the water stored is used to produce electricity of 780Mw. The surrounding areas offer breathtaking views of hills and valley. There are 44 rivers and 42dams in Kerala. Idukki dam is owned by Kerala state electricity board and they started generating electricity in 1975. The dam was constructed with the help of the other two dams, cheruthoni and kulamavu. The Government of Camada aided building the dam. The construction of the dam started in 1969 and the dam was inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on 12th February 1976. The dam is opened for the public for 10 days during Onam and Christmas season due to security reasons.
4. Koldam Dam
Koldam dam is located in Himachal Pradesh and the total height of the reservoir is 167m. It is built across the Sutlej river in Bilaspur district and electricity is generated by NTPC with 800 MW power stations. The dam is located 18km from Bilaspur off Chandigarh-Manali highway and the dam was constructed by NTPC. The length of the dam is 474m with a total capacity of 466971-acre ft. The foundation stone was laid on 5 June 2000 by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and in 2004 the main construction began. The dam was opened in 2015.
5. Sardar Sarovar Dam
Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest dams in the world with a height of 163m. The dam is located in Gujarat across the Narmada river. The aim of building the dam was to provide drinking water, irrigation, and hydro-power for people living in Gujarat. The dam is a famous tourist destination and the best time to visit the reservoir in October and November. The water from the reservoir also benefits neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The gravity dam has a length of 1210m and reservoir capacity is 7701775-acre feet. Sardar Sarovar can generate up to 200 MW of power. The construction of the dam began in 1987 and the project got completed in 2017. It is the largest structure to be built and the second-largest concrete dam in the world. The project irrigates drought-prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra.
6. Ranjit Sagar Dam
Ranjit Sagar dam is situated near Pathankot city of Punjab and built with a height of 160m. the dam is one of the highest earth-fill dams in India. Ranjit Sagar is also known as the Thein dam and it is part of the hydroelectric project constructed by Punjab Government. The dam is constructed above the Ravi river on the border of two states, J&K and Punjab. The project is used for irrigation and power generation of 600 MW capacity. The project began in 1953 and continued until 1980 and the project got completed in 2001.
7. Srisailam Dam
Srisailam dam is located in Andhra Pradesh built with a height of 145.10m. The dam is built across the Krishna river in Kurnool district and it is the biggest dam of Andhra Pradesh. The dam was constructed in a deep gorge in the Nallamala hills about 300m above sea level. The dam is 512m long and has 12 radial crest gates. Srisailam project started in 1960 and initially, it was a power project, the construction got completed in 1981. Later the project was converted to a multi-purpose facility with a power generating capacity of 770 MW. It is a gravity and Mansory dam that can hold a total capacity of 216 tmcft.
8. Chamera Dam
Chamera dam is built across the Ravi river in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The dam is 140m high It is located near Dalhousie and the reservoir of the dam is Chamera lake. The dam has three phases, Chamera I generates 540 MW, Chamera II generates 300 MW and Chamera III generates 231 MW. The length of the reservoir is 295m and the unique feature of the area is changing day and night temperature. The lake is an ideal place for water sport activities. The place is a tourist post and many engage in various activities like boating, rowing, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. Houseboats and shikara are also available there.
9. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Nagarjuna Sagar dam is located in Telangana and its height is 124m. The dam is built across the Krishna river and it creates the second biggest water reservoir in India with a storage capacity of 11.472 billion cubic meters. It is one of the largest masonry dams that features 1.6 lengths and comprises 26 gates. The place is an attractive tourist spot and a great example of India’s architectural and technological knowledge. The dam is named after a Buddhist monk Acharya Nagarjuna. The dam provides water for irrigation to the neighborhood districts and also generates electricity. It is the second biggest water reservoir in India with a water capacity of 405 TMCft. The construction of the dam began in 1955 and it was inaugurated in 1967. The reservoir is a marvelous sightseeing spot and apart from that, there are attractions like Nagarjunakonda Island which lies in the center of the lake. The island still has the remains of Buddhist settlement which was drowned during the construction of the dam.
10. Koyna Dam
Koyna Dam is the largest dam in Maharashtra with a height of 130m. The rubber concrete dam is built across the Koyna river and it is used to generate hydro-electricity as well as meeting the irrigation needs of neighboring states. The largest dam located at the western ghat is surrounded by The Shivaji Lake where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Sahyadri Mountain Ranges. They have one of the biggest underground hydroelectric power plants that generate electricity of 1960 MW. The dam plays a major role in controlling floods in monsoon season. The dam withstood many earthquakes recently and developed some cracks also. The dam has a length of 807.2m and a total capacity of 2267900-acre ft. The construction of the dam began in 1956 and inaugurated in 1964. Koyna is one of the biggest civil engineering projects handled after independence.