Dams in India have played a crucial role in managing water resources for a long time. Across the country, there are many dams, each serving a unique purpose, be it supplying water, preventing floods, or creating energy. These dams symbolize India’s efforts to wisely use its water for the well-being of its people. In this article let’s explore the largest dams in India.
The details of the largest dams in India have been given below:
List of Dams in India
Bhakra Nangal Dam
Bhakra Nangal dam is located near village Bhakra, Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the largest dams in India and has been constructed for Irrigation and Hydro power, across river Satluj. When constructed it was the tallest concrete gravity dam of the world, surpassing the existing height of 726′ of Hoover dam. However, presently, the tallest dam of the world is the Grand Dixence Dam (284 m high) in Switzerland.
The dam, reservoir and the power house have the following data:
- River: Satluj
- Area of catchment: 56876 km2
- Annual runoff in the catchment: 14,803,430,000 m3 to 20,971,526,000 m3
- Rainfall: 70 cm
- Snow: 239 cm
- Design flood discharge: 11327 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1948
- Year of completion: 1963
Dam
- Type: Straight concrete gravity dam
- Bed rock: Sandstone interspersed with claystone
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 226 m
- Length at the top of the dam: 518 m
- Total volume content: 4,130,000 m3
Spillway
- Type: Centrally located overflow spillway
- Type and number of gates: 4 Nos. radial gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 8,272 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 166 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 9,621,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 7,191,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 69.5 m
Power Plant
- Type: Vertical radial-axial Francis turbine
- Hydraulic head: max 158 m; min 80 m
- Maximum Discharge: 102 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 1204 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Vertical radial axial Francis
- Number: 16 Nos (5+5+3+3)
- Capacity: 1204 MW (600+450+77+77)
- Firm: 407 MW
- Secondary: 148 MW
Koyna Dam
Koyna dam, (one of the major dams in India) is situated at Deshmukhwadi, Koyna, is Satara District of Maharashtra. It is constructed on Koyna river, and is for hydro-power generation. The salient data about the project are as follows:
- Area of catchment: 891 km2
- Rainfall: 389.4 cm
- Design flood discharge: 7,854 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1956
- Year of completion: 1961
Dam
- Type: Gravity dam
- Bed rock: Deccan trap
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 103 m
- Length at the top of the dam: 808 m
- Total volume content: 1,555,000 m3
Spillway
- Type: Controlled spillway
- Type and number of gates: Tainter gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 3,823 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 115,35 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 2,796,500,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 2,662,000,000 m3
Power Plant
- Type: Underground power house
- Hydraulic head: Stage I-475 m. Stage II-430 m
- Installed capacity: 540 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Pelton
- Number: 08 Nos.
- Capacity: 4 Nos. 75 MW. 4 Nos. 60 MW
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Nagarjuna Sagar dam is located near Nandikonda village Dist. Nalgonda Andhra Pradesh. It is a combined irrigation and hydro power project, constructed across Krishna river. It is one of the major dams in India.
The salient data of the project are given below:
- Area of catchment: 215,192 km2
- Annual runoff in the catchment: 42,360,000,000 m3
- Rainfall: 89 cm
- Design flood discharge: 53,450 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1957
- Year of completion: 1974
Dam
- Type: Earth-cum-gravity dam
- Bed rock: Archaean granite-gneiss
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 125 m
Spillway
- Type: Ogee spillway
- Type and number of gates: 26 Nos. radial gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 53,450 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 285 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 11,550,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 6,940,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 24.38 m
Power Plant
- Type: Francis vertical turbine
- Hydraulic head: 95 m
- Maximum Discharge: 102 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 110 MW
Generating Units:
- Number: 1 Nos.
- Capacity: 110 MW
Gandhi Sagar Dam
Gandhi Sagar dam is one of the dams in India, situated near Chaurasigarh Fort, Dist. Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. It is an irrigation and hydropower project, constructed across river Chambal.
The salient data about the project are as follows:
- Area of catchment: 23,140 km2
- Rainfall: 86 cm
- Design flood discharge: 21,240 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1954
- Year of completion: 1960
Dam
- Type: Masonry dam (Straight gravity stone masonry)
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 64 m
Spillway
- Type: Gated
- Type and number of gates: 10 Nos. Vertical gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 21,240 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 723 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 7,746,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 6,911,000,000 m3
Power Plant
- Hydraulic head: 45 m
- Installed capacity: 115 MW
Generating Units:
- Number: 05 Nos.
- Capacity: 23 MW each
- Frim: 80 MW at 60% load factor
Rihand Dam
Rihand dam has been constructed across Rihand river, at Pipri, Mirzapur District, Uttar Pradesh. It is a hydropower project and one of the major dams in India.
The salient data about the project are given below:
- Area of catchment: 13,333 km2
- Rainfall: 142 cm
- Design flood discharge: 17,275 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1952
- Year of completion: 1962
Dam
- Type: Straight concrete gravity
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 91 m
- Total volume content: 1,680,000 m3
Spillway
- Type: Ogee type
- Type and number of gates: 13 Nos. Tainter gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 13,339 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 469 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 10,600,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 8,900,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 32 m
Power Plant
- Hydraulic head: 44 m to 76 m
- Maximum Discharge: 510 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 300 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Umbrella type
- Number: 60 Nos.
- Capacity: 50 MW each
Lower Bhavani/Bhavanisagar Dam
Bhavanisagar Dam is located near Tettupallayam, Tamil Nadu. It is an irrigation dam constructed across river Bhavani which is a tributary of Cauvery. It is one of the major dams in India.
The salient data of the dam are as follows:
- Area of catchment: 4200 km2
- Rainfall: 152.4 cm
- Design flood discharge: 4040 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1948
- Year of completion: 1955
Dam
- Type: Masonry cum earth dam
- Bed rock: Biotite gneiss
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 62 m
Spillway
- Type: Ogee type
- Type and number of gates: 09 Nos. Lift gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 3,141 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 78,76 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 928,240,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 928,240,000 m3
Hirakud Dam
Hirakud dam is one of the largest dams in India and has been constructed at Hirakud, Sambalpur Dist. Orissa. It is a multipurpose project, meant for irrigation, hydropower, and flood control, constructed across river Mahanadi.
The salient data of the project are given below:
- Area of catchment: 82,880 km2
- Mean annual runoff in the catchment: 37,000,000,000 m3
- Rainfall: 137 cm
- Design flood discharge: 35,765 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1948
- Year of completion: 1957
Dam
- Type: Composite (earth, masonry, and concrete)
- Bed rock: Granite
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 59 m
Spillway
- Type: Ogee (overflow) gated spillway
- Type and number of gates: 34 crest bays with radial crest gates and 64 undersluices with vertical gates.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 4595 m3/s in each crest bay and 465.25 m3/s in each undersluice.
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 727 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 8,105,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 5,843,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 12.19 m
Power Plant
- Hydraulic head: Average head 25.6 m
- Maximum Discharge: 600 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 270 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Vertical alternator
- Number: 9 Nos. (7 Kaplan & 2 Francis)
- Capacity: 37.5 MW-4 Nos. & 24 MW-5 Nos.
- Firm: 120 MW
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam
Krishna Raja Sagar dam is located at Krishnaraja Sagar, Karnataka. Constructed across main Cauvery (tributaries Hemavathy and Lakshamanathirtha), it is meant for Irrigation and hydropower, apart from recreation because of location of famous Brindawan Gardens at its down stream side.
The salient data about the project are as follows:
- Area of catchment: 10,619 km2
- Rainfall: 635 cm
- Design flood discharge: 8,213 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1911
- Year of completion: 1932
Dam
- Type: Masonry
- Bed rock: Hard rock
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 43 m
- Total volume content: 849,600 m3
Spillway
- Type and number of gates: 152 lift gates
- Maximum discharge capacity: 9,911 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 129 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 1,368,847 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 1,244,210,800 m3
Ukai Dam
Ukai dam, constructed at Fort Songardh, Gujrat, across river Tapi is a multipurpose dam, meant for hydropower, irrigation and flood control. It is one of the major dams in India.
The salient data about the dam are as under:
- Area of catchment: 62,225 km2
- Mean annual runoff in the catchment: 17,220,000,000 m3
- Rainfall: 79 cm
- Design flood discharge: 49,490 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1964
- Year of completion: 1972
Dam
- Type: Earth-cum-gravity
- Bed rock: Basalt
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 81 m
Spillway
- Type: Gated Ogee with ski-jump
- Type and number of gates: Radial crest gates-22 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 35,960 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 601 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 8,511,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 7,092,000,000 m3
Power Plant
- Type: Underground, River bed power house
- Hydraulic head: 57 m to 34 m
- Maximum Discharge: 213 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 300 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Umbrella type, vertical shaft, salient pole Turbines-Vertical shaft Kaplan turbine
- Number: 4 Nos.
- Capacity: 75 MW each
- Firm: 193 MW at 35% load factor continuously
Thein Dam/Ranjit Sagar Dam
Ranjit Sagar dam (one of the major dams in India) is located across river Ravi, Gurdaspur Dist. Punjab. It is a multipurpose project, meant for irrigation, hydropower and flood control.
It is an earth core rock fill dam, with salient data as follows:
- Area of catchment: 6087 km2
- Mean annual runoff in the catchment: 8,142,000,000 m3
- Design flood discharge: 21,238 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1978
- Year of completion: 2001
Dam
- Type: Earth core rockfill dam
- Bed rock: Alternate bands of sandstone and clay/silt stone
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 147 m
Spillway
- Type: Controlled gated Ogee
- Type and number of gates: Radial gates-12 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 19,329 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 83 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 3,670,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 2,340,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 40.23 m
Power Plant
- Hydraulic head: 121 m
- Maximum Discharge: 500 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 480 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Vertical axis Francis reaction turbine
- Number: 4 Nos.
- Capacity: 120 MW each
- Firm: 133 MW at 100% load factor or 222 MW at 60% load factor
Tehri Dam
Tehri dam is located at new Tehri town, Tehri District, Uttar Pradesh. Constructed across river Bhagirathi, it is a combined irrigation and hydropower project. (one of the major dams in India)
The salient data of the project are as follows:
- Area of catchment: 7,511 km2 out of which 2,323 km2 is snow bound
- Rainfall: Min. 102 cm Max. 178 cm
- Design flood discharge: 15,300 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1978
- Year of completion: 2006
Dam
- Type: Earth and rockfill
- Bed rock: Slightly jointed phyllites of different grades
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 261 m
- Length at the top of the dam: 570 m
Spillway
- Type: Open channel chute spillway
- Type and number of gates: Tainter gates-7 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 13,150 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 42 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 3,539,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 2,615,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 90 m
Power Plant
- Type: Underground power house on left bank
- Hydraulic head: 218 m
- Maximum Discharge: 550 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 600 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Synchronous vertical umbrella type
- Number: 4 Nos.
- Capacity: 150 MW each
Ramganga Dam
Ramganga dam, (one of the major dams in India), constructed across river Ramganga, at Kalagarh (Bijnor), Uttar Pradesh, is a combined irrigation and hydro-power project. It is an earth and rockfill dam, with a chute spillway. It has a surface power house designed for submerged condition, utilizing a hydraulic head of 98 m.
The salient data about the project are as follows:
- Area of catchment: 3,134 km2
- Rainfall: 55 cm
- Design flood discharge: 12,121 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1964
- Year of completion: 1978
Dam
- Type: Earth and rockfill dam
- Bed rock: Alternate clay and sand rock bands with bands of silt stone
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 128 m
Spillway
- Type: Chute spillway
- Type and number of gates: Tainter gates-5 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 8,467 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 78 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 2,442,600,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 2,195,500,000 m3
Power Plant
- Type: Surface power house designed for submerged condition
- Hydraulic head: 98 m
- Maximum Discharge: 226 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 198 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Francis Turbine
- Number: 3 Nos.
- Capacity: 66 MW each
Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam
Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam is located in Banswara district, Rajasthan, constructed across Mahi river. It is a combined irrigation and hydro-power project, having dam sections of masonry and earth.
The salient features of the project are given below:
- Area of catchment: 6,149 km2
- Rainfall: 82 cm
- Design flood discharge: 25,595 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1971
- Year of completion: 1983
Dam
- Type: Masonry and earth
- Bed rock: Alluvium consisting of sand gravel/cobble deposit
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 68 m
Spillway
- Type: W.E.S type
- Type and number of gates: Radial gates-16 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 23,785 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 133 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 2,059,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 1,715,000,000 m3
Power Plant
- Type: Two indoor type surface power houses
- Hydraulic head: At powerhouse-I 40 m; at powerhouse-II 84 m
- Maximum Discharge: 165 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 140 MW
Generating Units:
- Type: Francis Turbine
- Number and Capacity: PH-I_2 units of 25 MW each; PH-II_2 units of 45 MW each
- Firm: 29 MW
Ujjani Dam
This dam is located at Ujjani village, Sholapur district, Maharashtra. Constructed across river Bhima, it is combined irrigation and hydro-power project. The dam is earth-cum-gravity.
The salient data of the project are given below:
- Area of catchment: 14,850 km2
- Mean annual runoff in the catchment: 8,712,000,000 m3
- Rainfall: 69 cm
- Design flood discharge: 18,013 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1969
- Year of completion: 1980
Dam
- Type: Earth-cum-gravity
- Bed rock: Massive Basalt
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 56 m
Spillway
- Type: Controlled
- Type and number of gates: Radial gates-41 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 18,013 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 337 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 3,140,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 1,440,000,000 m3
Power Plant
There is a provision of one penstock of 3.2 m dia in the dam. It is meant for generating 12 MW power seasonally.
Tungbhadra Dam
Tungbhadra dam is located near Hospet town Karnataka and has been constructed across river Tungbhadra. It is a combined irrigation and hydro-power project. It has masonry dam with central spillway section, and earth dam and composite dam on the left side.
The salient data of the project are as under:
- Area of catchment: 27,853 km2
- Rainfall: 104 cm
- Design flood discharge: 18,408 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1945
- Year of completion: 1958
Dam
- Type: Masonry dam with central spillway section. Earthen dam and composite dam on the left side.
- Bed rock: Hard rock
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 49 m
- Total volume content: 1,155,000 m3
Spillway
- Type: Ogee type spillway
- Type and number of gates: 33 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 18,408 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 378 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 3,767,000,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 3,701,000,000 m3
- Available drawdown: 25 m
Generating Units:
- Number: 14 units of 9 MW each
- Capacity: 126 MW
Dantiwada Dam
This dam is located at Dantiwada village, Banaskatha District, Gujrat. It is mainly an irrigation dam, constructed across river Banas. It is a composite rolled filled earth dam with masonry spillway having radial gates.
The salient data about the project are as under:
- Area of catchment: 2,862 km2
- Mean annual runoff in the catchment: 447,830,000 m3
- Rainfall: 94 cm
- Design flood discharge: 6,655 m3/s
- Year of commencement of construction work: 1958
- Year of completion: 1965
Dam
- Type: Composite rolled filled earthen dam with masonry spillway
- Bed rock: Frinpura Granite
- Maximum height above the lowest point of foundation: 61 m
Spillway
- Type: Masonry gated spillway
- Type and number of gates: Radial gates-11 Nos.
- Maximum discharge capacity: 6,665 m3/s
Reservoir
- Area at F.R.L: 42 km2
- Gross storage capacity: 464,450,000 m3
- Effective storage capacity: 444,770,000 m3
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