Home   »   Important Dams in India

Important Dams in India List, Names, Importance, Features

Important Dams in India

In India, there are currently 5,334 dams, with 447 of them being particularly significant. Because they are built across a river or stream to hold water back, dams are significant structures. They are obstructions that can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate energy. Dams provide reservoirs, which provide water for irrigation, flood control, aquaculture of plants and animals, irrigation for people, and navigation.

An artificial barrier called a dam is made to hold water; the resulting reservoir is utilized for irrigation, electricity production, etc. Dams are classed based on their structure, intended use, etc.

List of All Dams in India

Here’s complete List of All Dams in India:

Name of Dams State River Name
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

List of Important Dams in India

Here’s complete List of Important Dams in India 2023:

Bhavani Sagar dam Tamil Nadu Bhavani
Tungabhadra Dam Karnataka Tungabhadra
Rihand Dam Uttar Pradesh Rihand
Maithon Dam Jharkhand Barakar
Koyna Dam Maharashtra Koyna
Bisalpur Dam Rajasthan Banas
Mettur Dam Tamil Nadu Kaveri
Krishnarajasagar Dam Karnataka Kaveri
Indira Sagar Dam Madhya Pradesh Narmada
Cheruthoni Dam Kerala Cheruthoni
Sardar Sarovar Dam Gujarat Narmada
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Telangana Krishna
Hirakud dam Odisha Mahanadi
Bhakra Nangal Dam Punjab-Himachal Pradesh Border Sutlej
Tehri Dam Uttarakhand Bhagirathi

Important Dams in India Map

Check Full Map of Important Dams in India 2023:

Important Dams in India Map
Important Dams in India Map

Features of Dams in India

The population of India gain from the large dams in a number of ways. Dams benefit irrigation facilities in India and provide enough water for home use and industry.

  • The primary goal of building dams is to lessen the frequency of flooding.
  • Dams facilitate river movement and provide hydroelectric power for the vicinity where they are located.
  • The largest dams in India and their tributaries provide water for boating and fishing, which serve as tourist attractions.
  • The cheapest mode of transportation is rivers, which may be navigated with the use of dams.
  • India’s largest dams provide water for a variety of businesses.
Highest Dam in India Tehri Dam(Uttarakhand) Height: 260.5 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 (16.03 mi)

Length of Main Dam:4.8 km (3.0 mi)

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

Longest Dam in India: Hirakud Dam

Longest Dam in India is the Hirakud Dam. In the Sambalpur district of the state of Odisha, the Hirakud Dam is constructed on the Mahanadi River. The main dam measures 4.8 km in length while the Hirakud Dam is 25.79 km long overall. In 1953, Hirakud Dam was completed.

Highest Dam in India: Tehri Dam

Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India and the 12th highest or tallest dam in the world, standing at 260.5 meters. In the Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Tehri Dam is situated on the Bhagirathi River in the town of New Tehri. The Tehri dam measures 575 meters in length and 260 meters in height. The Tehri Dam’s initial phase was finished in 2006. It is a part of the Tehri hydropower complex and THDC India Ltd.

Oldest Dam in India: Kallanai Dam

Oldest Dam in India is the Kallanai Dam on the Kaveri River. It is situated in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district. Since it was finished between 100 BC and 100 AD, the Kallanai Dam is now run by the Tamil Nadu government.

Top 5 Dams in India

1. Tehri Dam

In the state of Uttarakhand, there is a dam called the Tehri. Its 260.5-meter height makes it India’s tallest dam. Additionally, it ranks among the 10 highest dams in the world. On the Bhagirathi River is where this Dam is located.

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. Bhakra Nangal Dam

In the state of Uttarakhand, there is a dam called the Tehri. Its 260.5-meter height makes it India’s tallest dam. Additionally, it ranks among the 10 highest dams in the world. On the Bhagirathi River is where this Dam is located.

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

3. Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam is situated in the Orissa state. With a total length of 25.79 km, it is the longest dam in India. Additionally, it is among the top ten longest dams in the world. On the river Mahanadi is where the Hirakud Dam is located.

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

4. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

The Telangana state is home to the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. It is the largest masonry dam ever constructed in India. It is the world’s largest lake created artificially. It is 1.55 kilometres long and features 26 gates. It is located along the Krishna River.

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

5. Sardar Sarovar Dam

Gujarat is where the Sardar Sarovar Dam is situated. The Narmada Valley Project’s largest dam, it. The Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra neighbouring states stand to gain from this dam. It is located by the Narmada River.

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

Major Incidents in Indian History

  1. Quit India Movement
  2. Chauri Chaura Incident
  3. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
  4. Green Revolution in India
  5. Non-Cooperation Movement

Other Indian Geography Topics

Seasons of India Mountains of India
Mangrove Forests in India Important Mountain Passes in India
Monsoon in India
Indus River System
Climate of India
Rivers of India
Tributaries of Ganga
National Parks in India
Important Dams in India
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
Tiger Reserves in India
Northern Plains of India
Physiography of India
Important Lakes of India
Wetlands in India
Biodiversity in India
Natural Vegetation in India Earthquakes in India
Types of Soil in India
Ramsar Sites in India
Brahmaputra River System
Hydropower Plants in India
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Major Ports in India
Biosphere Reserves in India
Waterfalls in India

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

Solar System Types of Clouds
Structure of the Atmosphere Himalayan Ranges
Component of Environment
El Nino and La Nina
Coral Reef
Continental Drift Theory
Endogenic and Exogenic Forces
Indian Ocean Region
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean Dipole
Air Pollution
Environmental Impact Assessment
Tropical Cyclone
Western Disturbances
Types of Rocks

 

Sharing is caring!

Important Dams in India FAQs

How many dams are important in India?

As of July, 2019, total number of large dams in India is 5,334. About 447 large dams are under construction in India. In terms of number of dams, India ranks third after China and USA.

Which is the 1st dam in India?

Kallanai Dam built across the Kaveri river of Tamil Nadu is the oldest dam (first dam) in India. It is also known as the Grand Anicut.

Which is the largest dam in India?

Tehri dam on Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand is the largest in India.

Which is the longest dam in India?

Hirakund dam on Mahanadi River in Odisha is the longest in India.

Which is the oldest dam in India?

Kallanai Dam on Kaveri River is the oldest in India. It was built by Karikala cholan of Chola Dynasty in 100 BC –100 AD.

Bhakra Nangal Dam is on which river?

Bhakra Nangal Dam is on Setluj River.

Where is the Rihand Dam?

Rihand Dam is in Uttar Pradesh

Download your free content now!

Congratulations!

We have received your details!

We'll share General Studies Study Material on your E-mail Id.

Download your free content now!

We have already received your details!

We'll share General Studies Study Material on your E-mail Id.

Incorrect details? Fill the form again here

General Studies PDF

Thank You, Your details have been submitted we will get back to you.
[related_posts_view]

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *