Rivers, Lakes, Dams & Water Resources Module
Major Dams & Multipurpose Reservoirs
Multipurpose dam projects and reservoirs are critical hydraulic infrastructure that support hydroelectric generation, agricultural irrigation, flood control, and municipal water supply. Key historic projects include the Bhakra-Nangal project on the Sutlej River, the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River (the world's longest earthen dam), and the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River (India's tallest dam). In peninsular India, the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada and the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Krishna River sustain extensive canal networks. Understanding reservoir storage capacities, spillway designs, and inter-state river basin jurisdictions is foundational to studying water resource engineering and economic geography.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, constructed across the Bhagirathi River, is the tallest dam in India at a height of 260.5 metres.
- Hirakud Dam in Odisha, built across the Mahanadi River, is one of the world's longest earthen dams, featuring an overall length of 25.8 km including dykes.
- Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh, forming the Gobind Sagar reservoir.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat is one of the largest gravity dams in the world, supplying irrigation to Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Curriculum & Reference Sources: Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Jal Shakti, and National Register of Large Dams (NRLD).