Dams in India: India is home to around 5200 dams scattered over different states of the country. Besides, many projects are in the pipeline. There is the highest number of dams ie., 1845 dams situated in only one state ie., Maharashtra state. The most prominent topic and questions that are asked in the various competitive exams under the GA section is about Dams. So refer to this article and find the details of the highest, longest oldest, and other important dames in India along with reservoirs and answer to Indian dams related questions in examinations like UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Bank Exams, etc.
- What is the Dam?
- Key Points About Indian Dams
- Highlights on Important Dams in India
- Major Dams of India List
- Tehri Dam
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- Bhakra Nangal Dam
- Hirakud Dam
- Sardar Sarovar Dam
- What is Reservoir?
- Important Reservoirs of India List
- FAQs on Dams of India
What is the Dam?
A dam is a barrier that prevents the drain of water and results in the creation of a reservoir. Mainly, Dams are constructed to produce electricity by utilizing water. This form of electricity is known as hydroelectricity. Also, know more about the Indian Dams from the below modules along with the meaning of Reservoir.
Key Points About Indian Dams
Here are some of the important points about the dams of India. From these key facts, you will be able to understand how dams are helpful in the modern world of society.
- Dams are useful to provide enough water for domestic and city use.
- For the irrigation process,
- For many companies,
- Hydroelectric power production,
- Control the flow of the river,
- Helpful during the floods,
- Also, it is a low-cost form of transportation
- Dams reservoirs are utilized for boating, fishing, and also offer livelihood to many.
Highlights on Important Dams in India
The following table provides the important highlights of dams in India which help students to answer various GK Questions related to dams in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Bank, Govt, etc. Here we have shared the main details of the Indian dams like What is the highest, largest, and oldest dam in India?
| Highlights on Important Dams in India | ||
| Highest Dam in India | Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand) | Height: 260 meters Length: 575 meters River: Bhagirathi River Location: Uttarakhand Year of completion: 2006 (1st phase) |
| Longest Dam in India | Hirakud Dam (Odisha) | Total Length: 25.79 km
Length of Main Dam:4.8 km River: Mahanadi Location: Odisha Year of completion: 1953 |
| Oldest Dam in India | Kallanai Dam(Tamil Nadu) | River: Kaveri
Location: Tamil Nadu Year of completion: 100 BC –100 AD |
List of Major Indian Dams
Dams have always been a huge help for constructively using natural resources. These major Indian dams have benefitted the people many times like providing electricity, domestic and irrigation process, recreating the reservoirs for fishing and boating, and also help in eliminating the heavy floods. Having proper knowledge about Dams in India is an important Static GK topic in various govt exams like UPSC. Need more data on various Static GK Topics check the article attached here. The below table gives the list of major dams in India with details of state and river.
| List of Major Dams India | ||
| Name of Dam | State | River |
| Nizam Sagar Dam | Telangana | Manjira River |
| Somasila Dam | Andhra Pradesh | Pennar River |
| Srisailam Dam | Andhra Pradesh | Krishna River |
| Singur dam | Telangana | Manjira River |
| Ukai Dam | Gujarat | Tapti River |
| Dharoi Dam | Gujarat | Sabarmati River |
| Kadana dam | Gujarat | Mahi River |
| Dantiwada Dam | Gujarat | Banas River |
| Pandoh Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Beas River |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh and Punjab Border | Sutlej River |
| Nathpa Jhakri Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Satluj River |
| Chamera Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Ravi River |
| Baglihar Dam | Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab River |
| Dumkhar Hydroelectric Dam | Jammu and Kashmir | Indus River |
| Uri Hydroelectric Dam | Jammu and Kashmir | Jhelum River |
| Maithon Dam | Jharkhand | Barakar River |
| Chandil Dam | Jharkhand | Swarnarekha River |
| Panchet Dam | Jharkhand | Damodar River |
| Tunga Bhadra Dam | Karnataka | Tungabhadra River |
| Linganamakki dam | Karnataka | Sharavathi River |
| Kadra Dam | Karnataka | Kalinadi River |
| Alamatti Dam | Karnataka | Krishna River |
| Supa Dam | Karnataka | Kalinadi or Kali river |
| Krishna Raja Sagara Dam | Karnataka | Kaveri River |
| Harangi Dam | Karnataka | Harangi River |
| Narayanpur Dam | Karnataka | Krishna River |
| Kodasalli Dam | Karnataka | Kali River |
| Malampuzha Dam | Kerala | Malampuzha River |
| Peechi Dam | Kerala | Manali River |
| Idukki Dam | Kerala | Periyar River |
| Kundala Dam | Kerala | Kundala Lake |
| Parambikulam Dam | Kerala | Parambikulam River |
| Walayar Dam | Kerala | Walayar River |
| Mullaperiyar Dam | Kerala | Periyar River |
| Neyyar Dam | Kerala | Neyyar River |
| Rajghat Dam | Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Border | Betwa River |
| Barna Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Barna River |
| Bargi Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Bansagar Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Sone River |
| Gandhi Sagar Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Chambal River |
| Yeldari Dam | Maharashtra | Purna river |
| Ujani Dam | Maharashtra | Bhima River |
| Pawna Dam | Maharashtra | Maval River |
| Mulshi Dam | Maharashtra | Mula River |
| Koyna Dam | Maharashtra | Koyna River |
| Jayakwadi Dam | Maharashtra | Godavari River |
| Bhatsa Dam | Maharashtra | Bhatsa river |
| Wilson Dam | Maharashtra | Pravara River |
| Tansa Dam | Maharashtra | Tansa river |
| Panshet Dam | Maharashtra | Ambi River |
| Mula Dam | Maharashtra | Mula river |
| Kolkewadi Dam | Maharashtra | Vashishti River |
| Girna Dam | Maharashtra | Girana river |
| Vaitarna Dam | Maharashtra | Vaitarna river |
| Radhanagari Dam | Telangana | Bhogawati River |
| Lower Manair Dam | Telangana | Manair River |
| Mid Manair Dam | Telangana | Manair River and SRSP Flood Flow Canal |
| Upper Manair Dam | Telangana | Manair River and Kudlair River |
| Khadakwasla Dam | Maharashtra | Mutha River |
| Gangapur Dam | Maharashtra | Godavari river |
| Jalaput Dam | Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Border | Machkund River |
| Indravati Dam | Odisha | Indravati River |
| Hirakud Dam | Odisha | Mahanadi River |
| Vaigai Dam | Tamil Nadu | Vaigai River |
| Perunchani Dam | Tamil Nadu | Paralayar River |
| Mettur Dam | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Dam / Rihand dam | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand River |
| Tehri Dam | Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi River |
| Dhauli Ganga Dam | Uttarakhand | Dhauli Ganga River |
The details on a top 5 Largest Dams in India have discussed below with images:
1. Tehri Dam
Tehri Dam is the highest dam in India situated in the state of Uttarakhand over Bhagirathi River with a height of 260.5 meters. Also, you can see this Dam in the list of the Ten top highest dams in the world.
- Height of the Dam- 260.5 m
- Length of the Dam- 575 m
- Type of Dam- Rock Fill
- The reservoir capacity- 21,00,000 acre-feet
- Capacity that is installed- 1000 Megawatt
2. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
In the state of Telangana, one of the largest dams of India is established ie., The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. India’s largest Masonry Dams built till date is this dam. Also, known as the largest manmade lake in the world. It has 26 gates and is 1.55 km in length. It dwells on the river Krishna.
- Height of the Dam- 124m
- Length of the Dam- 4863 m (Total Lenght)
- Type of Dam- Masonry Dam
- The reservoir capacity- 93,71,845 acre feet
- Capacity that is installed- 816 Megawatt
3. Bhakra Nangal Dam
The location of Bhakra Nangal Dam is at Himachal Pradesh and Punjab states. It is considered the largest dam in India with a height of 225 meters. Also, it holds the second position in the largest dams all over Asia. It is located on the Sutlej river.
- Height of the Dam- 226 m
- Length of the Dam- 520m
- Type of Dam- Concrete Gravity
- The reservoir capacity- 75,01,775 acre feet
- Capacity that is installed- 1325 Megawatt
4. Hirakud Dam
The Hirakud Dam is the longest dam in India at 200 ft tall and the main dam is 4.8 km long that comes under the government of Odisha or Orissa. It is situated on the river Mahanadi.
- Height of the Dam- 61 m
- Length of the Dam- 4.8 km (Main Dam)
- Type of Dam- Composite Dam
- The reservoir capacity- 47,79,965 acre-feet
- Capacity that is installed- 347.5 Megawatt
5. Sardar Sarovar Dam
The fifth major dam of India is the Sardar Sarovar Dam with a length of 1210m. Also, it is the largest dam in the Narmada Valley Project located in the state of Gujarat. For other neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra also benefits.
- Height of the Dam- 163m
- Length of the Dam- 1210m
- Type of Dam- Gravity Dam
- The reservoir capacity- 77,00,000 acre-feet
- Capacity that is installed- 1450 Megawatt
Also Check: Top 10 Longest Rivers in India
What is Reservoir?
Reservoirs formed by dams not only overcome floods but also store water for activities like irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Also, you can see that a hydroelectric reservoir is a large collection of water behind a hydroelectric dam that helps to use the potential energy of water for generating electricity.
Important Reservoirs of India List
We have also outlined some of the important reservoirs in India in the tabular form below. Take a look at them and remember their details for answering various India general knowledge questions in govt or other competitive exams.
| List of Major Reservoirs in India | ||
|---|---|---|
| Reservoir | State | River |
| Dindi Reservoir | Telangana | Krishna River |
| Lower Manair Reservoir | Telangana | Manair River |
| Tatipudi Reservoir Project | Andhra Pradesh | Gosthani River |
| Gandipalem Reservoir | Andhra Pradesh | Manneru River |
| Himayat Sagar Reservoir | Telangana | Osman Sagar |
| Shriram Sagar Reservoir | Telangana | Godavari River |
| Gobind Sagar Reservoir | Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej River |
| Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir | Himachal Pradesh | Pong Dam Lake |
| Ghataprabha Reservoir | Karnataka | Ghataprabha River |
| Hemavathi Reservoir | Karnataka | Hemavati River |
| Tawa Reservoir | Madhya Pradesh | Tawa River |
| Balimela Reservoir | Odisha | Sileru River |
| Aliyar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Aliyar River |
| Chittar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Chittar River |
| Krishnagiri Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Thenpennai River |
| Manimuthar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Tamirabarani River |
| Pechiparai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kodayar River |
| Shoolagiri Chinnar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Chinnar River |
| Thunakadavu Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Thunacadavu River |
| Varattu Pallam Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Vidur Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Sankaraparani River |
| Amaravathi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Amaravathi River |
| Gundar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Berijam Lake |
| Kullursandai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Arjuna Nadi |
| Pambar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Pambar River |
| Periyar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Periyar River |
| Stanley Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Uppar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Uppar River |
| Vattamalaikarai Odai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Odai River |
| Willingdon Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Periya Odai River |
| Bhavanisagar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Bhavani River |
| Kodaganar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kodagananar River |
| Manimukthanadhi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Krishna River |
| Parambikulam Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Parambikulam River |
| Sholayar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Chalakkud River |
| Thirumurthi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Parmabikulam and Aliyar River |
| Varadamanadhi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Aliyar River |
| Vembakottai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Vaippar River |
| Manjalar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Manjalar River |
| Salal Project | Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab River |
| Chutak Hydroelectric Project | Jammu and Kashmir | Suru River |
| Indirasagar Project | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Narmada Dam Project | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Rihand Project | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand River and Son River |
FAQs on Dams of India
1. How many dams are in India?
A total of 5,202 large dams are situated in India as per the Central Water Commission (CWC). A large dam is one with a height of at least 15m from its deepest foundation to the crest.
2. What are the Types of Dams?
There are many dams in India, well there are different types of dams also there. Knowing the types of dams is an important topic for students preparing for the Bank Exams like IBPS or SBI as they contain questions from this concept. The list of Dam Types is given below:
- Arch Dam,
- Gravity Dam,
- Arch-Gravity Dam,
- Barrages,
- Embankment Dams,
- Rock-Fills Dams,
- Concrete-face rock-fill dams,
- Earth-fill dams.
3. Which is the biggest dam in India?
Tehri Dam is the biggest and longest dam in India.
4. Which dam is located on the Sutlej river?
Bhakra Nangal Dam is located on the Sutlej river.