There are more than 5200 Dams in India. Here is the list of the major dams in India with the name of state in which they are build and name of rivers .
What is a Dam ?
A Dam is physical structure that is built across the river or underground streams to block the water and store it as reservoir. This water is then use to generate electricity .
In other words, A dam is a barrier that restricts the flow of water . This water results in the formation a large reservoir. This reservoir is used for different purposes .
One of the purpose of this reservoir is to Generate electricity. The electricity generated by use of water ( Hydro) is known as Hydro Electricity.
Benefits of Dams
- Dams helps to generate electricity. This electricity is then distributed to various areas.
- The reservoir of Dams are used water activities like irrigation, industrial use.
- This water is also used for aquaculture (aqua farming ). Aquaculture is breeding , raising and harvest of aquatic animals like fish ( Matsya ), and aquatic plants .
- This water is also used for human consumption.
- The Dams have also been useful in supressing the floods .
Types of Dams
- Gravity Dam
- Arch Dam
- Arch – Gravity Dams
- Rock Fills Dams
- Earth-fill Dams
- Barrages
- Embankment Dams
- Concrete face rock fill Dams
Gravity Dam : A gravity dam is constructed from concrete or stone masonry . This designed in such a way that it can withstand load by its own weight its resistance against the foundation to oppose the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it.
These dams can be constructed to any height. The highest Gravity Dam in the world is Grande Dixence Dam, Switzerland.
Arch Dam : An Arch Dam have a curved upstream in plan. It is a curved shaped solid wall built with cement and concrete. On the basis of its radius , angle and curvature an arch dam is characterised into four types :-
- Constant Angle Arch Dam
- Double Curvature Arch Dam
- Variable Radius Arch Dam
- Constant Radius Arch Dam
An Arch Dam is made where the length is small in proportion to the height. The first Arch Dam in India is “Idukki Arch Dam”.
Rock Fills Dams : What is a rock filled dam? Rock-fill dams are a kind of dam that combines porous yet firmly packed gravel, sand, or silt in one section with an area of concrete, metal, clay, or some other substance that completely blocks water.
Embankment Dams : An embankment dam is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil or rock.
It has a semi-pervious waterproof natural covering for its surface and a dense, impervious core.
Important Dams in India
Longest Dam in India : The Hirakud Dam is the longest dam in India. It is situated on the river Mahanadi in Odisha. The length of the Hirakud Dam is 25.79 km.
Highest Dam In India : Tehri Dam is the highest dam in India with an height of 260 meters. it is situated on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand.
Oldest Dam in India : Kallanai Dam in Tamil Nadu is the oldest dam in India. It is situated on the Kaveri River. It was constructed around 100 BC to 100 AD
Total Dams in India : There are a total of 5202 dams in India.
List of Major Dams in India
| Dams in India | River And State |
|---|---|
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi River, Uttarakhand |
| Bhakra Nagla Dam | Sutlej, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Borders |
| Cheruthoni Dam | Cheruthoni River , Kerala |
| Krishnarajasagar Dam | Kaveri River , Karnataka |
| Bisalpur Dam | Banas River, Rajasthan |
| Maithon Dam | Barakar River, Jharkhand |
| Dhauli Ganga Dam | Dhauli Ganga River, Uttarakhand |
| Hirakud Dam | Mahanadi Dam, Odisha |
| Indravati Dam | Indravati River, Odisha |
| Vaigai Dam | Vaigai River, Tamil Nadu |
| Mettur Dam | Kaveri River, Tamil Nadu |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Narmada River , Gujarat |
| Indira Sagar Dam | Narmada River , Madhya Pradesh |
| Koyna Dam | Koyna River , Maharashtra |
| Tungabhadra Dam | Tungabhadra River , Karnataka |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Dam ( Rihan Dam) | Rihand River , Uttar Pradesh |
| Singur Dam | Majira River , Telangana |
| Nizam Sagar Dam | Manjira River , Telangana |
| Kadana Dam | Mahi River, Gujarat |
| Dharoi Dam | Sabarmati River , Gujarat |
| Ukai Dam | Tapti River, Gujarat |
| Dantiwadaa Dam | Banas River, Gujarat |
| Lower Manair Dam | Manair River, Telangana |
| Mid Manair Dam | Manair River and SRSP Flood Flow Canal ,Telangana |
| Kadra Dam | Kalinadi River, Karnataka |
| Supa Dam | Kalinadi River , Karnataka |
| Upper Manair River | Manair River & Kudlair River, Telangana |
| Srisailam Dam | Krishna River , Andhra Pradesh |
| Jalaput Dam | Machkund River, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha |
| Idukki Dam | Periyar River, River |
| Harangi Dam | Harangi River, Karnataka |
| Peechi Dam | Manali River, Kerala |
| Somasila Dam | Pennar River , Andhra Pradesh |
| Peruchani Dam | Paralayar River, Tamil Nadu |
| Neyyar Dam | Neyyar River, Kerala |
| Mulshi River | Mula River, Maharashtra |
| Wilson Dam | Pravara River, Maharashtra |
| Khadakwasla | Mutha River , Maharashtra |
| Uri Hydroelectric Dam | Jhelum River, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Chamera Dam | Ravi River, Himachal Pradesh |
| Baglihar Dam | Chenab River, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Bhavani Sagar Dam | Bhavani River, Tamil Nadu |
| Kallanai Dam | Kaveri River , Tamil Nadu |
Dams in India FAQs
Q. What is the total number of dams in India ?
Ans. 5202 Dams in India
Q. Which is the Highest Dam in India ?
Ans. Tehri Dam is the highest Dam in India. It is 260.5 meters high. This dam is built on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand.
Q. Name the longest Dam in India ?
Ans. Hirakud Dam is the longest dam in India. Its Total length is 25.76 km and length of main dam is 4.8 km.
This dam is built on Mahanadi River in Odisha.
Q. Which is the Oldest Dam in India ?
Ans. Kallanai Dam is the oldest Dam in India. It was built in 100 BC – 100 AD. It is located on the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu.
Q. What are gravity dams made of?
Ans. Concrete and / or masonry.