Dams are architectural and engineering marvels of the country. They generate a huge amount of water energy; Provision of drinking water and irrigation systems for the state and surrounding areas. Karnataka is not only a heavenly abode of magnificent monuments, standing majestically for ages but also for its biggest dams. The dam is mainly used to generate electricity, suppress or control flooding, and provide water for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation, etc.
Here are the Top 10 Biggest Dams in Karnataka:
Vani Vilasapura Dam
It is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. This dam was built in times when none other of its kind existed in the near about. Vani Vilasa Sagar was built before India got independence, as well. The project was initiated by the regent Queen Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana who was the widow of Maharaja Chamaraaja Wadiyar.
She is known for her exemplary social work. It is built along the region of Chitradurga, which is notable for spawning memorable folk literature indigenous to it. The dam has a full reservoir level of 130 feet mark, but its water level is measurable up to 135 feet.
It irrigates more than a hundred square kilometres of land and acts as a reservoir of domestic water for Chitradurga and Hiriyur. It is measured 162 ft by 1300 ft and stands with two pavilion halls that have been built using the Saracenic style of architecture. The uniqueness of the dam is not just the date and the style of the building, but also that it has been developed over the years in a way that protects the forest cover around the area.
There are a lot of other tourist attractions around this dam that’s yet to carve a niche in the tourism world- there is a historic fort and a garden that holds herb species that heal diseases. The backwaters of the dam are tailor-made for water sports. The Youth Services and Sports Department has chalked out a program to draw more youngsters towards adventure sports in the region. Overall it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Supa Dam
Supa Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It is located to the north of the area across the river Kali, named for the Hindu Goddess. It is built across Kalinadi or Kali River in the state of Karnataka in India and is the tallest dam in Karnataka. The 101 meters high and 332 meters long dam has 3 gates of 15×10 meters and is situated at GaneshaGudi, which is in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district.
It provides breathtaking aesthetics along with strict utility, it is involved in hydropower generation with stored water and is now under the management of the proper power authorities. The dam forms the main storage reservoir for all the powerhouses in the Kalinadi hydropower project with a total installed capacity of 1180MW, which includes the main Nagzari powerhouse of 810 MW capacities.
At sunset, it looks picture postcard pretty in the dying yellow light, with silhouettes like mountains behind it and structures on the surface that look like floating boats. All these together make for perfect photography and a very good crowd-pulling landmark.
At sunset, it looks picture postcard pretty in the dying yellow light, with silhouettes like mountains behind it and structures on the surface that look like floating boats. All these together make for perfect photography and a very good crowd-pulling landmark. Overall it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Almatti Dam
Almatti Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It is concerned with power generation side by side with tourism attraction as well. It is the main reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project the 290 MW power station is located on the right side of the Almatti Dam.
The full reservoir level of Almatti Dam was originally restricted to 160 meters MSL by the supreme court of India. The dam holds a gross water storage capacity of 123.08 TMC at 519 meters MSL.
It generates electricity and hydropower with stored water and the cascading waters provide complete visual magnificence. A lot has been done to increase tourism appeal, including setting up tuneful fountains and decorated gardens around the place.
There’s also another dam nearby that does its bit to attract tourists. This dam is one of the priority visiting places if you are touring Karnataka. The backwaters of the dam host several migratory birds during summer. Moreover, it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Hidkal Dam
Hidkal Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It is a dam constructed across the Ghataprabha River in the Krishna River basin. It is constructed as a part of the Ghataprabha Irrigation project which was completed in three phases and finished in 2009.
It is situated at Hidkal village in Hukkeri Taluk of Belagavi district in North Karnataka, India. The dam with a height of 62.48 meters and 10 Vertical Crest Gates, impounds a large reservoir with a gross surface area of 63.38 Square kilometers, and a storage capacity of 51.16 Tmcft.
It is an earthen and masonry dam that caters to the Irrigation needs of over 8,20,000 acres and Hydel power generation. The dam is an archaeologically relevant site. Many fossils have been revealed in the nearby areas of the dam which makes it a place of interest not only for tourists but also archaeologists. Overall it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Kabini Dam
Built in 1974, Kabini Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka The dam has a Length of 966 meters and it was built in 1974. The main purpose of the dam is to provide drinking water and irrigation for 22 villages and 14 hamlets and also generate electricity.
The dam has a height of 166 feet and a length of 12,927 feet. The length of the Spillway is 250 feet, and it has 4 spillway gates. Kabini Dam also provides water supply to Sagaredoddakere and Upper Nugu Dams, especially during monsoons with about 28 thousand million cubic feet of water.
The picturesque surroundings lined with trees and crystal clear waters flowing gently, make this reservoir an ideal picnic spot with friends and family. The dense forests around are home to a variety of birds, making the location an apt place for bird watching. This area was a hotspot for hunting for Maharajas and British Officers during the Colonial era. Moreover, it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Kodasalli Dam
Kodasalli Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It is built across the Kali River in Yellapura taluk of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state, India. This dam was built by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited.
Equally, is this dam known to benefit nearby areas by the state-of-the-art irrigation facilities arranges to ensure water supply to even the remotest areas could be made possible for best irrigation and agriculture options.
Such things couldn’t be possible without attempting the firm step for a dam project that had been taken for the best utilization of approximately 647M cum water.
It has left an impeccable impact on the region’s growth story with its twofold benefit option from generating and supply of sufficient hydroelectricity power to ease the irrigation-related issues without which this state couldn’t see the success which it has welcomed in the last couple of decades in such fast pace.
Kodasalli Dam emerged as a major attraction in the region ever since this area was brought under a tourist scanner. Some more nearby attractions in the limelight are Bangalore city located at a distance of approximately 500kms, dense forestry regions nearby the dam, attractive Magod Falls and similar other spots making it one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Harangi Dam
Harangi Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It started in the 1970s and was opened for operation in the year 1982. The height of the dam is 53 m and the boundary of the dam stretches for 845 m. The Harangi originates in the Pushpagiri Hills of Western Ghats in Kodagu, Karnataka.
Heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon is the source of water in the catchment area of Harangi River which is about 419.58 km2. It is the first dam to be built across the River Cauvery and formed by a masonry dam built across the river Harangi, a tributary to Cauvery.
This reservoir has a height of 47 metres and a length of 846 metres with a capacity of 8.50 TMC feet. It is one of the most popular visiting places for its seclusion and bedazzling natural beauty.
It is one of the most famous picnic spots in Coorg for its natural relaxed and soothing atmosphere. The best time to visit Harangi Dam is between August to September. That’s why it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Tungabhadra Dam
This is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It is another dam of the same level of influence as its precedent. It is stretched across the Tungabhadra, one of the most important rivers of India for various reasons, and is also one of the dams that hold the largest water volume and power tapping potential in India
The construction was completed in 1953. The Tungabhadra Dam has withstood the test of time for over 70 years and is expected to well cross many more decades. The dam is 49.39 meters high above its deepest foundation. It is a multipurpose dam serving irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, etc.
It is one of the only two non-cement dams in India, the other being the Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala. The reservoir water is used to supply water downstream of the barrages Rajolibanda and Sunkesula located on the Tungabhadra River.
Tourism is centred on acts like photography, given the very striking scenery all around, and the bird’s eye view is spectacular, like a maze set in green. Overall it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It was constructed by M. Visveswarya and dedicated to the memory of a local monarch. Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV Maharaj of Mysore constructed the dam during the famine despite the critical financial condition of the State.
It was after him that the dam was named the main source of water for the districts of Mysore. The water is used for irrigation in Mysore and Mandya, and it is the main source of drinking water for all of Mysore, Mandya, and almost the whole of Bengaluru city, the capital of Karnataka.
It features tall walls all around, which look like a Roman amphitheatre and also features sprightly waterfalls at intervals along the Crystal Lake waters that combine to make this haven special to visitors. It also serves utility purposes like irrigation water supply and also drinking water to locals of several professions. No wonder it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Narayanpura Dam
Narayanpur Dam is one of the top 10 dams in Karnataka. It was a single-purpose project and was meant for irrigation but drinking water production and generation of downstream electricity are some of the functions of this dam.
It was a single-purpose project meant only for irrigation, but downstream electrical generation and drinking water considerations enter into its management.
The dam is 29 meters high and over 10.637 kilometres long and has 30 gates for water release. It took around 50 crores to construct this dam in 1982. This project has an estimated capacity of 31.47 TMC. Overall it is one of the top dams in Karnataka.
Conclusion
As for the final say, these are some of the top 10 biggest dams in Karnataka. These dams are some of the tallest dams, and they were constructed many years ago. These dams are helpful in generating electricity & also there are quite a few beautiful sites nearby these dams for people to visit.
see also: Top 10 Dams in Maharastra by Height & Storage
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