Major Dams in India | General Knowledge for Young Learners - Class 1 PDF Download

Introduction

India is home to several large and deep rivers, such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Narmada. Water is essential for all forms of life, making water storage crucial. Dams in India play a vital role in sustainable development and resource management. As one of the most populous countries in the world, India faces the challenge of meeting its growing energy needs while managing water resources for agriculture and industry.

Dams contribute by storing water and generating hydroelectric power. This is why the Indian government is prioritizing the construction of dams to prevent floods, generate electricity, and supply water when necessary. This article will delve into the major dams in India.

What is a Dam?

A dam is a structure built to block or control the flow of water, creating reservoirs for various purposes such as flood control, irrigation, drinking water, industrial use, and navigation. Dams also have the capability to generate hydropower, providing electricity. They play a crucial role in storing and supplying water to different regions, ensuring equitable access for agriculture, particularly in areas where water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice are grown.

However, the construction of large dams comes with several challenges:

• Social Issues: Building dams often displaces a significant number of people, and ensuring proper rehabilitation for these displaced individuals can be a complex and sensitive issue.
• Economic Concerns: The high costs associated with dam construction may not always be justified by the benefits they provide, leading to economic concerns.
• Environmental Problems: Large-scale dam projects can result in environmental harm, including deforestation and a loss of biodiversity as natural habitats are disrupted.

Types of Dams in India

Dams are crucial structures that help in controlling water flow, preventing floods, and providing water for various purposes like irrigation, industry, and aquaculture. In India, several types of dams are used, each designed for specific functions. Here are seven types of dams commonly found in India:

• Diversion Dam: These dams are designed to divert water into canals or ditches. They are usually small in size, with a low height and limited storage capacity. 
• Buttress Dam:. buttress dam features a sloping deck supported by buttresses. This design uses less concrete compared to other types, but it can be more expensive to construct. 
• Embankment Dam: Embankment dams are made from natural materials such as soil, sand, and rock. They are large, artificial structures built with compacted materials and are designed to hold back water. 
• Cofferdam:. cofferdam is a temporary and portable dam used for construction projects like bridge repairs and pipeline installations. These dams are reusable and environmentally friendly. 
• Storage Dam: Storage dams are designed to hold water for various purposes, including irrigation, wildlife conservation, and hydroelectric power generation. This type of dam is the most common in India. 
• Detention Dam: Detention dams are built primarily for flood control. They temporarily hold water and release it gradually to reduce the risk of flash floods. 
• Gravity Dam: Gravity dams are massive concrete structures that hold large volumes of water. They rely on gravity and a strong foundation to withstand the water pressure exerted on them. 

List of Major Dams in India

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Andhra Pradesh). Built on the Krishna River in 1967, this dam is one of the largest in India and is essential for irrigation, power generation, and flood management in Andhra Pradesh. 
• Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat). Located on the Narmada River, this dam is a vital source of water for irrigation and drinking. However, its construction has displaced many communities, leading to controversy. 
• Bhakra Dam (Himachal Pradesh). Constructed on the Sutlej River, Bhakra Dam is one of the highest gravity dams in the world, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power. 
• Idukki Dam (Kerala). This double-curvature arch dam in the Western Ghats is important for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. 
• Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand). Situated on the Bhagirathi River, Tehri Dam is among the tallest in India, offering water, power, and serving as a drinking water reservoir. 
• Hirakud Dam (Odisha). Built on the Mahanadi River, Hirakud is the longest earthen dam globally, playing a significant role in flood control, irrigation, and power generation. 
• Koyna Dam (Maharashtra). This dam on the Koyna River is a major hydroelectric project, significantly contributing to Maharashtra’s power supply. 
• Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu). Located on the Cauvery River, Mettur Dam provides irrigation to Tamil Nadu’s delta region, supplies drinking water, and generates hydroelectric power. 
• Rihand Dam (Uttar Pradesh). Built on the Rihand River, this is the largest dam in Uttar Pradesh, offering water for irrigation, power generation, and regulating water flow. 
• Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh). Situated on the Narmada River, this dam is one of the largest reservoirs in India, supporting irrigation, power generation, and drinking water supply. 

 These dams are vital for the development of their regions, providing essential services like irrigation, power supply, flood control, and water storage. 

State-wise List of Major Dams in India

Rajasthan

• Ranapratap Sagar Dam (Chambal River) - Located at Rawatbhata
• Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam (Mahi River) - Situated in Banswara district
• Bisalpur Dam (Banas River) - Found in Tonk district

Andhra Pradesh

• Srisailam Dam (Krishna River) - Located in Kurnool district
• Somasila Dam (Penna River) - Situated in Nellore district
• Prakasam Barrage (Krishna River) - Spanning Krishna and Guntur districts
• Tatipudi Reservoir (River Gosthani) - Located at Tatipudi, Vizianagaram
• Gandipalem Reservoir (River Penner)
• Ramagundam Dam (Godavari River) - Situated in Karimnagar district
• Dummaguden Dam (River Godavari)

Telangana

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Krishna River) - Located at Nagarjuna Sagar, Nalgonda
• Sri Ram Sagar Dam (Godavari River)
• Nizam Sagar Dam (Manjira River)
• Dindi Reservoir (Krishna River) - Situated at Dindi, Mahabubnagar town
• Lower Manair Dam (Manair River)
• Singur Dam (Manjira River)

Bihar

• Kohira Dam (Kohira River) - Located in Kaimur district
• Nagi Dam (Nagi River) - Situated in Jamui district

Chhattisgarh

• Hasdeo Bango Dam (Hasdeo River) - Located in Korba district

Gujarat

• Sardar Sarovar Dam (Narmada River) - Located at Navagam
• Ukai Dam (Tapti River) - Situated at Ukai in Tapi district
• Kadana Dam (Mahi River) - Located in Panchmahal district
• Karjan Reservoir (Karjan River) - Found at Jitgadh village, Narmada district

Himachal Pradesh

• Bhakra Dam (Sutlej River) - Located in Bilaspur district
• Pong Dam (Beas River)
• Chamera Dam (Ravi River) - Situated in Chamba district

Jammu and Kashmir

• Salal Dam (Chenab River) - Located in Reasi district
• Baglihar Dam (Chenab River) - Situated in Doda district

Jharkhand

• Maithon Dam (Barakar River) - Located in Dhanbad district
• Panchet Dam (Damodar River) - Situated in Panchet, Dhanbad district
• Tenughat Dam (Damodar River) - Located in Bokaro district

Karnataka

• Krishna Raja Sagara Dam (Krishna River) - Located in Mandya district
• Tungabhadra Dam (Tungabhadra River) - Situated near Hospet town
• Bhadra Dam (Bhadra River) - Located at the border of Bhadravathi and Tarikere
• Linganamakki Dam (Sharavathi River) - Situated in Kargal village, Sagara taluk
• Malaprabha Dam (Malaprabha River) - Located in Belgaum district
• Raja Lakhamagouda Dam (Ghataprabha River) - Situated in Belagavi district
• Hemavathy Dam (Hemavathy River) - Located in Gorur, near Hassan city
• Supa Dam (Kali River) - Situated in Uttara Kannada district
• Lakya Dam (Lakya River)
• Almatti Dam (Krishna River) - Located in Bijapur district

Kerala

• Kakki Reservoir (Pamba River) - Located in Pathanamthitta district
• Idukki Dam (Periyar River) - Situated in Kuravan and Kuravathi, Idukki district
• Cheruthoni Dam (Periyar River) - Located in Idukki district
• Kulamavu Dam (Periyar River) - Situated in Kulamavu, Idukki district
• Idamalayar Dam (Idamalayar River) - Located in Ernakulam district

Madhya Pradesh

• Gandhi Sagar Dam (Chambal River) - Located in Mandsaur district
• Tawa Reservoir (Tawa River) - Situated in Hoshangabad district
• Indira Sagar Dam (Narmada River) - Located in Narmada Nagar

Maharashtra

• Koyna Dam (Koyna River) - Located in Koyna Nagar
• Jayakwadi Dam (Godavari River) - Situated in Aurangabad district
• Isapur Dam (Penganga River) - Located in Pusad, Yavatmal district
• Totladoh Dam (Pench River) - Situated in Nagpur district
• Warna Dam (Warna River) - Located in Kolhapur district
• Bhatsa Dam (Bhatsa River) - Situated in Shahapur, Thane district

Odisha

• Hirakud Dam (Mahanadi River) - Located in Sambalpur district
• Rengali Dam (Brahmani River) - Situated in Angul district
• Indravati Dam (Indravati River) - Located in Nabarangpur district
• Jalaput Dam (Machkund River) - Situated on the boundary between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
• Mandira Dam (Sankh River) - Located in Kansbahal, Sundergarh district

Punjab

• Ranjit Sagar Dam (Ravi River) - Located on the border of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab

Tamil Nadu

• Mettur Dam (Cauvery River) - Located in Mettur, Salem district
• Solaiyar Dam. Situated in Coimbatore district
• Bhavanisagar Dam (Bhavani River) - Located in Erode district

Uttarakhand

• Ramganga Dam (Ramganga River) - Located in Pauri Garhwal district
• Jamrani Dam (Gola River) - Situated in Nainital district
• Tehri Dam (Bhagirathi River) - Located in Tehri district

Uttar Pradesh

• Rihand Dam (Rihand River) - Also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar, located in Pipri, Sonbhadra district
• Matatila Dam (Betwa River) - Located in Lalitpur district
• Rajghat Dam (Betwa River) - Situated in Lalitpur district

West Bengal

• Mukutmanipur Dam (Kansabati River) - Located in Bankura district

Importance of Dams

• Power Generation: Dams hold water that can be used to produce hydroelectric power when released from a height.
• Water Supply: Water stored in dams during the rainy season can be used during dry months to provide water to arid regions.
• Flood Prevention: Dams regulate river flow, preventing floods by blocking excess water from reaching low-lying areas.
• Water Diversion: Dams can redirect water to irrigate agricultural fields.

Environmental Effects of Dams

• Fish Migration: Dams obstruct fish migration, impacting their reproduction and spawning patterns.
• Riverbed Erosion: Dams can lead to erosion of the riverbed.
• Groundwater Table: Dams can lower the groundwater table in surrounding areas.
• Mosquito Breeding: Reservoirs created by dams can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit diseases.
• Displacement: Dams can displace people living in low-lying areas.
• Water Properties: Dams alter water properties such as oxygen levels, temperature, and chemical composition.

Role of Dams in India

• Water Supply: Dams store water during the monsoon season and release it during dry periods, ensuring a consistent supply for drinking, industry, and agriculture.
• Hydroelectric Power: Numerous dams generate electricity by harnessing water flow, contributing to energy needs and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• River Navigation: Dams regulate water flow, facilitating easier navigation for boats and ships, which enhances trade and connectivity.
• Recreation: Dams create reservoirs that provide recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating, attracting tourists and supporting local economies.
• Flood Control: Dams store excess water during heavy rainfall and release it gradually, minimizing flood risks in downstream areas.

Overall, dams in India play a crucial role in water management, power generation, and development, benefiting both the population and the environment.