List of dams and reservoirs in Sri Lanka

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Hydroelectricity accounts for nearly half of the installed power capacity of Sri Lanka. Electricity sector in Sri Lanka.png
Hydroelectricity accounts for nearly half of the installed power capacity of Sri Lanka.

The following page lists most dams in Sri Lanka . Most of these dams are governed by the Mahaweli Authority, while the Ceylon Electricity Board operates dams used for hydroelectric power generation. Hydroelectric dams, including small hydros accounts for nearly half of the installed power capacity of Sri Lanka.

Contents

Sri Lanka is pockmarked with many irrigation dams with its water resource distributed across nearly the entirety of the island for agricultural purposes via artificial canals and streams. Utilization of hydro resources for agricultural production dates back to the pre-Colonial era, with the current crop production now largely dependent on these water resources.

Dams in Sri Lanka

The Victoria Dam on 15 April 2011. Three days after its 26th anniversary of opening. VictoriaDam-SriLanka-April2011-1.jpg
The Victoria Dam on 15 April 2011. Three days after its 26th anniversary of opening.
Randenigala Dam in 2013. RandenigalaDam-December2013-10.JPG
Randenigala Dam in 2013.
Upstream view of the Kotmale Dam. KotmaleDam-Srilanka-January2014.jpg
Upstream view of the Kotmale Dam.
Open spillways of the Rajanganaya Dam. Rajanganaya Dam - Sri Lanka - 30DEC2012.JPG
Open spillways of the Rajanganaya Dam.

Irrigation dams with a length and height of more than 100 m (330 ft) and 10 m (33 ft) are listed, including all the state-run hydroelectric power stations. Privately owned "small-hydro" facilities (which are limited to a maximum nameplate capacity of 10 MW ), are not included in this list. Nearly all hydroelectric dams are also used for providing water resource for irrigation purposes, hence for the sake of identifying the hydroelectric dams, any dam with hydroelectric involvement is stated as such in the below table, even if the primary purpose of building the dam is to retain water for irrigation.

Dam Location PurposeLength
(m)
Height
(m)
Gen. Type Ref
Bowatenna 07°40′00″N80°40′00″E / 7.66667°N 80.66667°E / 7.66667; 80.66667 (Bowatenna Dam) Hydroelectricity2263040 Gravity  
Broadlands 06°58′50″N80°27′09″E / 6.98056°N 80.45250°E / 6.98056; 80.45250 (Broadlands Hydropower Project) Hydroelectricity1142435 Gravity [1]
Canyon 06°52′18″N80°31′34″E / 6.87167°N 80.52611°E / 6.87167; 80.52611 (Canyon Dam) Hydroelectricity  100 Arch-gravity
Castlereigh 06°52′24″N80°33′59″E / 6.87333°N 80.56639°E / 6.87333; 80.56639 (Castlereigh Dam) Hydroelectricity  50 Gravity  
Deduru Oya 07°43′06″N80°16′28″E / 7.71833°N 80.27444°E / 7.71833; 80.27444 (Deduru Oya Dam) Hydroelectricity2,400201.5 Embankment [2]
Dyraaba 06°53′13″N80°57′23″E / 6.88694°N 80.95639°E / 6.88694; 80.95639 (Dyraaba Dam) Hydroelectricity16550120 Gravity [3]
Gal Oya 07°12′37″N81°32′10″E / 7.21028°N 81.53611°E / 7.21028; 81.53611 (Gal Oya Dam) Hydroelectricity1,1004312 Embankment  
Inginimitiya 07°56′40″N80°07′54″E / 7.94444°N 80.13167°E / 7.94444; 80.13167 (Inginimitiya Dam) Irrigation4,88018N/A Embankment  
Kalu Ganga 07°33′35″N80°50′09″E / 7.55972°N 80.83583°E / 7.55972; 80.83583 (Kalu Ganga Dam) Irrigation54667N/A Gravity  
Kandalama 07°53′00″N80°41′40″E / 7.88333°N 80.69444°E / 7.88333; 80.69444 (Kandalama Dam) Irrigation1,60021N/A Embankment  
Kantale 08°21′40″N80°59′29″E / 8.36111°N 80.99139°E / 8.36111; 80.99139 (Kantale Dam) Irrigation4,20015N/A Embankment  
Kotmale 07°03′39″N80°35′50″E / 7.06083°N 80.59722°E / 7.06083; 80.59722 (Kotmale Dam) Hydroelectricity60087201 Gravity  
Kukule Ganga 06°34′48″N80°19′37″E / 6.58000°N 80.32694°E / 6.58000; 80.32694 (Kukule Ganga Dam) Hydroelectricity1102080 Gravity  
Laxapana 06°55′08″N80°29′22″E / 6.91889°N 80.48944°E / 6.91889; 80.48944 (Laxapana Dam) Hydroelectricity  75 Gravity  
Lower Malvathu Oya  Irrigation     [4]
Lunugamwehera 06°21′11″N81°12′09″E / 6.35306°N 81.20250°E / 6.35306; 81.20250 (Lunugamwehera Dam) Irrigation  N/A Embankment  
Maduru Oya 07°38′53″N81°12′50″E / 7.64806°N 81.21389°E / 7.64806; 81.21389 (Maduru Oya Dam) Irrigation1,09041N/A Embankment  
Maskeliya 06°50′37″N80°32′56″E / 6.84361°N 80.54889°E / 6.84361; 80.54889 (Maskeliya Dam) Hydroelectricity  60 Gravity  
Moragahakanda 07°42′17″N80°46′59″E / 7.70472°N 80.78306°E / 7.70472; 80.78306 (Moragahakanda Dam) Hydroelectricity 6525 Gravity [5] [6] [7]
Moragolla  Hydroelectricity 3530 Gravity [8]
Norton 06°54′50″N80°31′18″E / 6.91389°N 80.52167°E / 6.91389; 80.52167 (Norton Dam) Hydroelectricity  50 Gravity  
Nilambe 07°11′18″N80°37′52″E / 7.18833°N 80.63111°E / 7.18833; 80.63111 (Nilambe Dam) Hydroelectricity70 3.2 Gravity  
Polgolla 07°19′18″N80°38′42″E / 7.32167°N 80.64500°E / 7.32167; 80.64500 (Polgolla Barrage) Hydroelectricity14414.640 Gravity  
Puhulpola 06°54′51″N80°56′00″E / 6.91417°N 80.93333°E / 6.91417; 80.93333 (Puhulpola Dam) Irrigation17545NA Gravity [3]
Rajanganaya 08°08′30″N80°13′23″E / 8.14167°N 80.22306°E / 8.14167; 80.22306 (Rajanganaya Dam) Irrigation  N/A Embankment  
Randenigala 07°12′00″N80°55′30″E / 7.20000°N 80.92500°E / 7.20000; 80.92500 (Randenigala Dam) Hydroelectricity48594126 Embankment  
Rambakan Oya 07°33′53″N81°27′17″E / 7.56472°N 81.45472°E / 7.56472; 81.45472 (Rambakan Oya Dam) Irrigation122524.7N/A Embankment  
Rantembe 07°12′00″N80°57′00″E / 7.20000°N 80.95000°E / 7.20000; 80.95000 (Rantembe Dam) Hydroelectricity4204252 Gravity  
Ratkinda 07°30′30″N81°03′24″E / 7.50833°N 81.05667°E / 7.50833; 81.05667 (Ratkinda Dam) Irrigation4,96025N/A Embankment [9]
Samanala 06°40′54″N80°47′54″E / 6.68167°N 80.79833°E / 6.68167; 80.79833 (Samanala Dam) Hydroelectricity530110124 Embankment  
Udawalawe 06°26′02″N80°51′15″E / 6.43389°N 80.85417°E / 6.43389; 80.85417 (Udawalawe Dam) Hydroelectricity3,900 6 Embankment  
Ulhitiya 07°28′20″N81°03′17″E / 7.47222°N 81.05472°E / 7.47222; 81.05472 (Ulhitiya Dam) Irrigation  N/A Embankment  
Upper Kotmale 06°56′48″N80°39′29″E / 6.94667°N 80.65806°E / 6.94667; 80.65806 (Upper Kotmale Dam) Hydroelectricity18035150 Gravity [10] [11]
Victoria 07°14′29″N80°47′05″E / 7.24139°N 80.78472°E / 7.24139; 80.78472 (Victoria Dam) Hydroelectricity520122210 Arch [12]

See also

Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydroelectricity</span> Electricity generated by hydropower

Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower. Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and also more than nuclear power. Hydropower can provide large amounts of low-carbon electricity on demand, making it a key element for creating secure and clean electricity supply systems. A hydroelectric power station that has a dam and reservoir is a flexible source, since the amount of electricity produced can be increased or decreased in seconds or minutes in response to varying electricity demand. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, it produces no direct waste, and almost always emits considerably less greenhouse gas than fossil fuel-powered energy plants. However, when constructed in lowland rainforest areas, where part of the forest is inundated, substantial amounts of greenhouse gases may be emitted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahaweli River</span> River in Sri Lanka

The Mahaweli River, is a 335 km (208 mi) long river, ranking as the longest river in Sri Lanka. It has a drainage basin of 10,448 km2 (4,034 sq mi), the largest in the country, which covers almost one-fifth of the total area of the island. The Mahaweli Ganga starts at Polwathura, a remote village of Nuwara-Eliya District in bank Nawalapitiya of Kandy District by further joining of Hatton Oya and Kotmale Oya. The river reaches the Bay of Bengal on the southwestern side of Trincomalee Bay. The bay includes the first of a number submarine canyons, making Trincomalee one of the finest natural deep-sea harbours in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kotmale Oya</span> River in Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka

The Kotmale River is the longest tributary of Mahaweli River. The river begins as the Agra Oya, in the Horton Plains. The Central Plains have an annual rainfall of between 125 and 200 inches a year. The river is approximately 70 km (43 mi) long and drains a basin of about 58,534 ha. The river flows through a traditional area of ancient villages and tea plantations. King Dutugemunu spent his youth here. The Kotmale Oya flows into the Mahaweli at Pallegama. Tributaries of the Kotmale Oya include the Nanu Oya, the Pundalu Oya, the Puna Oya, and the Dambagastalawa Oya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Clair's Falls</span> Waterfall in Talawakele, Sri Lanka

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Dam (Sri Lanka)</span> Dam in Teldeniya

Victoria Dam is an arch dam located 130 mi (209 km) upstream of the Mahaweli River's mouth and 4 mi (6 km) from Teldeniya. It is named in honor of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samanala Dam</span> Dam in Balangoda

The Samanala Dam is a dam primarily used for hydroelectric power generation in Sri Lanka. Commissioned in 1992, the Samanalawewa Project is the third-largest hydroelectric scheme in the country, producing 405 GWh of energy annually. It was built with financial support from Japan and the United Kingdom. It is notable for a large leak on its right bank. Power production continues as planned despite the leakage, and the water from the leak now provides two thirds of the water issued by the reservoir for agriculture in downstream areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electricity sector in Sri Lanka</span>

The electricity sector in Sri Lanka has a national grid which is primarily powered by hydroelectric power and thermal power, with sources such as photovoltaics and wind power in early stages of deployment. Although potential sites are being identified, other power sources such as geothermal, nuclear, solar thermal and wave power are not used in the power generation process for the national grid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Kotmale Dam</span> Dam in Talawakele, Nuwara Eliya

The Upper Kotmale Dam is located in Talawakele, within the Nuwara Eliya District, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The dam feeds the third largest hydroelectric power station in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadlands Dam</span> Dam in Kitulgala

The Broadlands Dam is a 35 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric complex currently under construction in Kitulgala, Sri Lanka. The project is expected to be completed in 2020, and will consist of two dams, and a power station downstream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moragahakanda Dam</span> Dam in Elahera, North Central Province

The Moragahakanda Dam, officially Kulasinghe Reservoir, is a large gravity dam, and the main component of the larger and more complex Moragahakanda — Kalu Ganga Project, across the Amban River at Elahera, in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. Construction began on 25 January 2007 and was completed in 2018. The maiden water release of the dam was in January 2017. Morgahakanda/Kaluganga project is the last of the Great Mahaveli project

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maskeliya Dam</span> Dam in Maskeliya, Central Province

The Maskeliya Dam is a large gravity dam at Maskeliya, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Along with the Castlereigh Dam, the dams are the highest point and beginning of the Laxapana Hydropower Complex, involving a number of dams, penstocks, and hydroelectric power stations. The dam creates the Maskeliya Reservoir over the route of Maskeliya Oya, a major tributary of the Kelani River, which is the 4th longest in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polgolla Barrage</span> Dam in Polgolla, Central Province

The Polgolla Barrage is a barrage built across the Mahaweli River at Polgolla, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The barrage is used to increase the volume of water, for transfer to the hydroelectric power station located 8 km (5 mi) north, via penstock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laxapana Dam</span> Dam in Laxapana, Central Province

The Laxapana Dam is a gravity dam built across the Maskeliya Oya, 2.8 km (1.7 mi) downstream of the Laxapana Falls, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gal Oya Dam</span> Dam in Gal Oya National Park

The Gal Oya Dam is an embankment dam in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. The dam creates one of the largest reservoirs in the country, the Gal Oya Reservoir. Water from the reservoir is used primarily for irrigation in the Uva and Eastern provinces, in addition to powering a small hydroelectric power station. Construction of the dam and reservoir began in August 24, 1949, completing four years later in 1953.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deduru Oya Dam</span> Dam in Wariyapola, Sri Lanka

The Deduru Oya Dam is an embankment dam built across the Deduru River in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka. Built in 2014, the primary purpose of the dam is to retain for irrigation purposes approximately a billion cubic metres of water, which would otherwise flow out to sea. Site studies of the dam began in 2006 and construction started in 2008. It was ceremonially completed in 2014, with the presence of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iranamadu Tank</span> Reservoir in Northern Province

Iranamadu Tank is an irrigation tank in northern Sri Lanka, approximately 3 mi (5 km) south east of Kilinochchi.

The Mahaweli Development program is known as the largest multipurpose national development program in the history of Sri Lanka and is also considered the keystone of the government's development program that was initiated in 1961.

The Uma Oya Hydropower Complex (also internally called Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project or UOMDP) is an irrigation and hydroelectric complex currently under construction in the Badulla District of Sri Lanka. Early assessments of project dates back to 1989, when the first studies was conducted by the country's Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau. The complex involves building a dam across Dalgolla Oya, and channelling water over a 3,975 m (13,041 ft) tunnel to Mathatilla Oya, both of which are tributaries of the Uma Oya. At Mathatilla Oya, another dam is constructed to channel 145,000,000 m3 (5.1×109 cu ft) of water per annum, via a 15,290 m (50,160 ft) headrace tunnel to the Uma Oya Power Station, where water then discharged to the Alikota Aru via a 3,335 m (10,942 ft) tailrace tunnel. The Alikota Aru is a tributary of the Kirindi Oya.

The Moragolla Dam is a planned hydroelectric dam in Moragolla, Sri Lanka. The dam is to be 35 m (115 ft) high and is planned to create the 1,980,000 m3 (70,000,000 cu ft) Moragolla Reservoir with a maximum supply level at 548 m (1,798 ft) MSL. Upon completion, the Moragolla Power Station would have a gross installed capacity of 30 megawatts from two francis turbines, capable of generating approximately 85 GWh annually.

References

  1. "About the Broadlands Hydropower Project". BHPCEB.lk. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  2. P. Krishnaswamy (12 January 2014). "Deduru Oya Reservoir Project commissioning, a landmark event". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 Sriyananda, Shanika (27 March 2015). "Uma Oya Project: More damages than benefits?". Daily FT . Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  4. "Lower Malwathu Oya Project". Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management . Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  5. Principal project features of the Moragahakanda Dam and appurtenant structures, archived from the original on 2010-01-01, retrieved 2010-09-22
  6. Moragahakanda & Kaluganga Development Project, archived from the original on 2009-07-28, retrieved 2010-09-22
  7. Saudi gives Rs.5,332M for Kaluganga Project, archived from the original on 2010-02-12, retrieved 2010-09-22
  8. "Moragolla Hydropower". Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy . Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  9. Ratkinda/Ulhitiya Dam Archived 2009-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Upper Kotmale Dam, archived from the original on 2010-08-23, retrieved 2010-08-08
  11. Upper Kotmale power project to be completed soon , retrieved 2010-08-08
  12. Victoria Dam, archived from the original on 2010-02-20, retrieved 2010-08-08