Table of Contents
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:
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 |
Important Dams in India FAQs
Q How many dams are important in India?
Ans. 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.
Q Which is the 1st dam in India?
Ans. 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.
Q Which is the largest dam in India?
Ans. Tehri dam on Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand is the largest in India.
Q Which is the longest dam in India?
Ans. Hirakund dam on Mahanadi River in Odisha is the longest in India.
Q Which is the oldest dam in India?
Ans. Kallanai Dam on Kaveri River is the oldest in India. It was built by Karikala cholan of Chola Dynasty in 100 BC –100 AD.
Q Bhakra Nangal Dam is on which river?
Ans. Bhakra Nangal Dam is on Setluj River.
Q Where is the Rihand Dam?
Ans. Rihand Dam is in Uttar Pradesh
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