Dams
- A dam is a human-made barrier that blocks the flow of water and results in the creation of a reservoir. Dams are mainly constructed to generate power using water. This form of energy produced is known as hydroelectric power.
- India, the land of rivers has massive potential for construction of huge dams, owing to the geographical features. In the north lies the Himalayan Mountain ranges, in central India lies the Plateaus, whereas along with southern India, Western and Eastern Ghats cover along the ocean borders of the country.
- Since independence, India has made a huge advancement in dams and of construction water reservoirs, Today India is one of the world’s most creative dam-builders. There are around 4300 huge dams already existing, almost half of which are more than twenty years old. These dams are a significant attraction of tourists from all over India.
Essential features of the dams.
- They provide adequate water for domestic, industry and irrigation purposes.
- They are used in Hydroelectric power production and river navigation.
- Dam Reservoirs are used for fishing and touring purpose, thus contributing towards livelihood to many.
- They are useful to regulate the flow of the river, thus helping in preventing floods.
Facts about the Indian dams
- Tehri Dam is the eighth biggest dam in the world.
- Idukki dam is the first Indian arch dam built over the Periyar river in Kerala and the largest arch dam in Asia.
- Grand Anicut or Kallanai, located on Holy Cauvery River situated in Tamil Nadu, is the oldest dam in India.
- Indira Sagar Dam has the Largest Reservoir in India accompanied by Nagarjunasagar and Gobind Sagar reservoir.
Below is the list of some of the important Dams in India
| 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 |
- What are the 50 Largest Cities in the World?
- List of smallest countries in the World by area & population
Complete list of the Dams in India
List of Major Dams India
| State | River |
| Telangana | Manjira River |
| Andhra Pradesh | Pennar River |
| Andhra Pradesh | Krishna River |
| Telangana | Manjira River |
| Gujarat | Tapti River |
| Gujarat | Sabarmati River |
| Gujarat | Mahi River |
| Gujarat | Banas River |
| Himachal Pradesh | Beas River |
| Himachal Pradesh and Punjab Border | Sutlej River |
| Himachal Pradesh | Satluj River |
| Himachal Pradesh | Ravi River |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab River |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Indus River |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jhelum River |
| Jharkhand | Barakar River |
| Jharkhand | Swarnarekha River |
| Jharkhand | Damodar River |
| Karnataka | Tungabhadra River |
| Karnataka | Sharavathi River |
| Karnataka | Kalinadi River |
| Karnataka | Krishna River |
| Karnataka | Kalinadi or Kali river |
| Karnataka | Kaveri River |
| Karnataka | Harangi River |
| Karnataka | Krishna River |
| Karnataka | Kali River |
| Kerala | Malampuzha River |
| Kerala | Manali River |
| Kerala | Periyar River |
| Kerala | Kundala Lake |
| Kerala | Parambikulam River |
| Kerala | Walayar River |
| Kerala | Periyar River |
| Kerala | Neyyar River |
| Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Border | Betwa River |
| Madhya Pradesh | Barna River |
| Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Madhya Pradesh | Sone River |
| Madhya Pradesh | Chambal River |
| Maharashtra | Purna river |
| Maharashtra | Bhima River |
| Maharashtra | Maval River |
| Maharashtra | Mula River |
| Maharashtra | Koyna River |
| Maharashtra | Godavari River |
| Maharashtra | Bhatsa river |
| Maharashtra | Pravara River |
| Maharashtra | Tansa river |
| Maharashtra | Ambi River |
| Maharashtra | Mula river |
| Maharashtra | Vashishti River |
| Maharashtra | Girana river |
| Maharashtra | Vaitarna river |
| Telangana | Bhogawati River |
| Telangana | Manair River |
| Telangana | Manair River and SRSP Flood Flow Canal |
| Telangana | Manair River and Kudlair River |
| Maharashtra | Mutha River |
| Maharashtra | Godavari river |
| Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Border | Machkund River |
| Odisha | Indravati River |
| Odisha | Mahanadi River |
| Tamil Nadu | Vaigai River |
| Tamil Nadu | Paralayar River |
| Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rihand River |
| Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi River |
| Uttarakhand | Dhauli Ganga River |
