Dams in India – List of Important Dams in India with States
By Balaji
Updated on: March 16th, 2023
Dams in India are estimated to be around 5,334, out of which, approximately 447 large dams are still under construction. Dams are important because they are created across a river or stream to hold water back. They are barriers that can be utilized to hold water, manage floods, and produce electricity. Reservoirs formed by dams stop floods and provide water for industrial use, raising aqua plants and animals, irrigation, human use, and navigability.
A dam is a physical obstacle that hinders or limits the flow of subsurface or surface water. Dams are useful for storing and distributing water to various locations. They act as a source of hydroelectricity, i.e., produce electricity after utilizing water. This article will provide information about major dams in India, their types, and their importance, along with a list of dams in India with rivers and states.
Table of content
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1. What is Dam?
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2. Features of Dams in India
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3. Important Dams in India Under Damodar Valley Corporation
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4. Types of Dams in India and their Formation
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5. Water Storage Capacity of Dams in India
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6. Interesting Facts about Dams in India
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7. List of Dams in India with River and State
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8. Largest Dams in India – State and Features
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9. Hydroelectric Dams in India
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10. Difference between Dams and Reservoirs
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11. Dams in India UPSC
What is Dam?
A dam is a type of barrier designed to store water; the resultant reservoir is used for irrigation, generating electricity, etc. Dams and reservoirs are created to keep surplus water during rainy seasons so that arid grounds can be irrigated.
One of the most critical benefits of dams is the capability to manage water flows according to the seasonal farming necessities of different areas. Dams are categorized according to structure, intended objective, etc.
- By Structure – Embankment dams, Arch dams, Gravity dams, etc.
- By Purpose – Power generation, Irrigation purpose, Multipurpose, etc.
Features of Dams in India
There are several benefits of the major dams in India for the inhabitants. Dams provide sufficient water for domestic purposes and industries, and dams in India are advantageous for irrigation facilities. The main aim of the creation of dams is to reduce the frequency of floods that occur.
Dams in India PDF
Dams aid in the navigation of rivers and produce hydroelectric power for the nearby areas where it is situated. The biggest dams in India and their tributaries supply water for fishing and boating, which act as recreational areas for visitors.
- Dams help navigate rivers, which is the most inexpensive form of transportation.
- Many industries utilize water from the major dams in India.
Important Dams in India Under Damodar Valley Corporation
This government organization operates several power stations in the Damodar River in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The dams constructed under this firm are:
- Maithon dam (Jharkhand) on Barak river.
- Konar dam (Jharkhand) on Konar river.
- Tilaiya dam (Jharkhand) on Barak river.
- Panchet dam (Jharkhand) on Damodar river.
Types of Dams in India and their Formation
Each dam has substantial importance. The different types of largest dams in India are constructed by following a unique manufacturing structure. Given are the types of dams found in the country.
| Types of Dams in India | Description |
| Arch Dam | The dam is a solid concrete dam bent upstream in the plain.
It is created so that the hydrostatic pressure pushes against the arch, causing it to straighten and strengthen the structure. |
| Gravity Dam | Dams constructed from concrete or stone, or brick are gravity dams.
These dams in India are developed to hold back water by using only the weight of the material and its resistance against the foundation. |
| Arch-Gravity Dam | This type of dam possesses the characteristics of an arch dam and a gravity dam.
It curves upstream in a narrowing arc that heads most of the water pressure against the canyon rock walls. |
| Barrages | A diversion dam in India with a low head comprising several large gates that can be opened or closed to maintain the water passing through. |
| Embankment Dams | It is a type of big artificial dam.
Embankment Dams are formed by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various soil, sand, clay, or rock compositions. |
| Rock-Fills Dams | These dams are embankments of compacted, free-draining granular earth with an impermeable zone. |
| Concrete-face rock-fill dams | The dams are rock-filled with concrete slabs on their upstream face.
The design provides the concrete slab as an impenetrable wall to stop leakage. |
Water Storage Capacity of Dams in India
Different dams and rivers in India have different water-storing capacities. The table demonstrates that the Dam in India having the highest storage capacity (12.2 km3) is Indira Sagar, located in Madhya Pradesh.
On the contrary, the dam that has the least storage capacity (1.996 km3) is Idukki Dam, situated in Kerala.
| Dams in India | State / UT | River | Storage capacity |
| Indira Sagar | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada | 12.2 km3 |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana | Krishna | 11.561 km3 |
| Rihand Dam (Govind Ballabh pant Sagar) | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand River | 10.6 km3 |
| Bhakra Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 9.62 km3 |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Gujarat | Narmada River | 9.5 km3 |
| Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana | Krishna | 8.722 km3 |
| Ukai Dam | Gujarat | Tapti River | 7.41 km3 |
| Hirakud Dam | Odisha | Mahanadi River | 5.896 km3 |
| Tehri Dam | Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi River | 4 km3 |
| Sriram Sagar | Telangana | Godavari | 3.172 km3 |
| Ujjani Dam | Maharashtra | Bhima river | 3.14 km3 |
| Jayakwadi Dam | Maharashtra | Godavari | 2.909 km3 |
| Koyna Dam | Maharashtra | Koyna River | 2.7974 km3 |
| Mettur Dam | Tamil Nadu | River Kaveri | 2.64 km3 |
| Somasila | Andhra Pradesh | Pennar | 2.20862 km3 |
| Idukki Dam | Kerala | Periyar | 1.996 km3 |
Interesting Facts about Dams in India
Dams are important structures beneficial for modern society. Dams and hydropower are repeatedly mixed to generate electricity. Water can be collected and stored in a dam that can be equally divided between regions. Below are some of the fascinating details about the largest dam in India 2023.
| Facts | Dams of India |
| Oldest Dam in India | Kallanai Dam (Grand Anicut) on the river Kaveri (Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu) |
| Longest Dam in the world | Hirakund dam (Orissa) |
| Longest Dam in India | Hirakund dam (Orissa) |
| Highest straight gravity Dam in India | Bhakra dam |
| Tallest Dam in the world | Nurek dam (Tajikistan) |
| Highest Dam in India | Tehri dam (Uttarakhand) |
List of Dams in India with River and State
Various dams in India are built over important rivers in different Indian states. Below is the list of the biggest dams in India. Go through the Important dams of India, the state in which they are constructed, and the river passing through them.
| State | Important Dams in India | River |
| Andhra Pradesh | Somasila Dam | Penna |
| Polavaram Project | Godavari | |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Krishna | |
| Srisailam Dam | Krishna | |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Kohira Dam | Kohira |
| Bihar | Nagi Dam | Nagi |
| Ranganadi Dam | Ranganadi River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River | |
| Chhattisgarh | Dudhawa Dam | Mahanadi |
| Minimata (Hasdeo) Bango Dam | Hasdeo | |
| Gujarat | Aji Dam | Aji |
| Sipu Dam | Sipu | |
| Mitti Dam | Mitti | |
| Karjan Dam | Karjan | |
| Kadana Dam | Mahi | |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Narmada | |
| Ukai Dam | Tapti | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Chamera Dam | Ravi |
| Nathpa Jhakri (Sjvnl) Dam | Satluj | |
| Pong Dam | Beas | |
| Bhakra Dam | Satluj | |
| Kol Dam | Satluj | |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Pakal Dul Dam | Marusudar |
| Kishenganga Dam | KISHANGANGA | |
| Nimoo Bazgo Dam | Indus | |
| Uri Dam | Jhelum | |
| Salal Dam | Chenab | |
| Baglihar Dam | Chenab | |
| Jharkhand | Konar Dam | Konar |
| North Koel | North Koel | |
| Tenughat Dam | Damodar | |
| Maithon Dam | Barakar | |
| Panchet Dam | Damodar | |
| Karnataka | Lakhya Dam | Lakhya hole |
| Tungabhadra Dam | Tungabhadra | |
| Almatti Dam | Krishna | |
| Kabini Dam | Kabini | |
| Supa dam | Kalinadi | |
| Hidkal Dam | Ghataprabha | |
| Hemavathy Dam | Hemavathy | |
| Bhadra Dam | Bhadra | |
| Basava Sagar Dam (Narayanpur Dam) | Krishna | |
| Krishnarajasagar Dam | Cauvery | |
| Kerala | Idukki Dam | Periyar |
| Cheruthoni Dam | Cheruthoni | |
| Kakki Dam | Kakki | |
| Kulamavu Dam | Kilivillithode | |
| Mullaperiyar Dam | Periyar | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ban Sagar Dam | Son |
| Gandhi Sagar Dam | Chambal | |
| Indira Sagar Dam | Narmada | |
| Omkareshwar Dam | Narmada | |
| Tawa Dam | Tawa | |
| Maharashtra | Bhatsa Dam | Bhatsa and chorna |
| Koyna Dam | Koyna | |
| Warna Dam | Varna | |
| Ujjani Dam | Bhima | |
| Aruna Dam | Aruna | |
| Upper Wardha Dam | Wardha | |
| Odisha | Hirakud Dam (Longest Dam in India) | Mahanadi |
| Indravati Dam | Indravati | |
| Kapur Dam | Kapur | |
| Podagada Dam | Podagada | |
| Rengali Dam | Brahmani | |
| Upper Kolab Dam | Kapur | |
| Haladia Dam | Haladia | |
| Lower Indra Dam | Indra | |
| Punjab | Ranjit Sagar Dam | Ravi |
| Rajasthan | Bisalpur Dam | Banas |
| Jawahar Sagar Dam | Chambal | |
| Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam | Mahi | |
| Rana Pratap Sagar Dam | Chambal | |
| Jaswant Sagar Dam | Luni | |
| Jakham Main Dam | Jakham (Mahi) | |
| Sikkim | Rangit III Dam | Ranjit |
| Tamilnadu | Bhavani Dam | Bhavani |
| Mettur Dam | Kaveri | |
| Sholaiyar Dam | Sholaiyar | |
| Pillur Dam | Bhavani | |
| Telangana | Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Krishna (Some Part of Dam also in Telangana) |
| Srisailam Dam | Krishna (Some Part of Dam also in Telangana) | |
| Nizam Sagar Dam | Manjira | |
| Musi Dam | Musi | |
| Singur Dam | Manjira | |
| Sri Rama Sagar (Pochampadu Project) | Godavari | |
| Uttarakhand | Jamrani Dam | Gola |
| Lakhwar Dam | Yamuna | |
| Koteshwar | Bhagirathi | |
| Ramganga Dam | Ramganga | |
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rihand Dam | Rihand |
| West Bengal | Kangsabati Kumari Dam | Kasai |
Largest Dams in India – State and Features
Dams have always been a tremendous reserve for constructively utilizing natural resources. Listed are the largest dams in India with state and features including their height, length, capacity, and type.
| Major Dams in India | State | Features |
| Hirakud Dam | Orissa | Reservoir capacity – 47,79,965 acre-feet;
Dam Type – Composite Dam; Installed Capacity – 347.5 Megawatt; Dam Height – 61 m; Dam Length – 4.8 km (Main Dam); It is the longest dam in India. |
| Tehri Dam | Uttarakhand | Reservoir capacity- 21,00,000 acre-feet;
Dam Length – 575 m; Installed Capacity – 1000 Megawatt; Important dam of India; Dam Height – 260.5 m; Dam Type – Rock fill |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Telangana | Reservoir capacity- 93,71,845 acre-feet;
Installed Capacity – 816 Megawatt; Dam Type – Masonry Dam; Dam Height – 124 m; Total Dam Length – 4863 m |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Gujarat | Reservoir capacity- 77,00,000 acre-feet;
Dam Length – 1210 m; Dam Type – Gravity Dam; Installed Capacity – 1450 Megawatt; Dam Height – 163m |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh and Punjab | Reservoir capacity- 75,01,775 acre-feet;
Dam Length – 520 m; Dam Type – Concrete Gravity; Installed Capacity- 1325 Megawatt; Dam Height – 226 m |
Hydroelectric Dams in India
India has the 5th biggest hydropower capacity in the world and comprises numerous largest dams in India that generate clean and renewable electricity. The country contains 197 hydroelectric dams or power plants, which have the capacity to produce more than 25 megawatts (MW).
The five biggest hydroelectric power plants in India are mentioned in the table below along with their location and maximum capacity.
| Name of Hydroelectric Dam in India | Capacity | Location |
| Tehri Hydropower Complex | 2,400 MW | Uttarakhand |
| Koyna Hydroelectric Project | 1,960 MW | Maharashtra |
| Srisailam Dam | 1,670 MW | Andhra Pradesh |
| Nathpa Jhakri Dam | 1,530 MW | Himachal Pradesh |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | 1,450 MW | Gujarat |
| Bhakra Dam | 1325 MW | Himachal Pradesh |
| Chamera Dam | 1071 MW | Himachal Pradesh |
Difference between Dams and Reservoirs
A basic difference between dams and reservoirs is that dams are structures that are constructed on a river in order to control water for several purposes (generating electricity, etc.). Whereas, reservoirs are created at the back of a dam.
Another important difference is that dam is a physical structure that holds back water; while a reservoir is a water body that is formed by a dam. Additionally, Dams can be employed to generate hydroelectricity, and reservoirs encourage recreational sports such as fishing and boating.
Dams in India UPSC
Dams in India is an important topic asked in the UPSC exam. A few UPSC sample questions on major dams of India are provided below to assist you to understand the relevance of the topic for various competitive exams and to comprehend the scope and variety asked for in the exam.
Q1. Hirakud dam, one of the longest dams (length – 25.8 km) in the world is located on the river:
A) Mahanadi
B) Brahmaputra
C) Tungabhadra
D) Godavari
Answer (A) Mahanadi
Q2. Tehri Dam of Uttarakhand has been constructed on the river:
A) Alaknanda
B) Teesta
C) Bhagirathi
D) Ghaggar
Answer (C) Bhagirathi
Q3. ______ is located on Sutlej river.
- Koyna Dam
- Nagarjuna Sagar
- Bhakra Nangal Dam
- Gandhisagar Dam
Answer (3) Bhakra Nangal Dam
Q4. Which of the following dams is not on the River Krishna?
A) Alamat
B) Nagarjunasagar
C) Krishna Sagar Dam
D) Srisailam
Answer (C) Krishna Sagar Dam
Q5. Which of the following dams is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar?
A) Koyna Dam
B) Thein Dam
C) Ukai Dam
D) Pong Dam
Answer (D) Pong Dam
