Hydroelectricity is often used in union with dams. It is to produce electricity. A dam may also be used for the storage and collection of water and to distribute the same evenly wherever needed. The dams of the state of Himachal Pradesh are built with sole purpose of reigning in the floods and to generate electricity.

The state of Himachal Pradesh boasts of main principal dams and reservoirs, in its state. They are the Bhgakra Nagal Dam, the Pandoh Dam, the Nathpa Dam the Chamera Dam, Gobind Sagar Reservoir and the Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir.

Famous Dams

The Bhakra Dam

The Bhakra Dam is the most important dam of the state of Himachal Pradesh. But the benefits of this dam are enjoyed by the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan the three states of India. The name derived from the names of two rivers namely the Bhakra and the Sutlej. The project is built on the tributary of the River Indus, the Sutlej.

The Pandoh Dam

The Pandoh Dam is a diversion dam built on the River Beas at Pandoh in the district of Mandi, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The dam is about 21 KM east of the Mandi Kullu Road. This dam is constructed out of earth and rock and it is about 76 metres high and generates about 165 MW of electricity. There are five bays, which control the flow of water.

The Nathpa Dam

The Nathpa Dam is also in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The work of this dam is to store water and provide hydro energy. The Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam is sponsoring this hydro electric project, at the Nathpa Dam. It is made known that the dam is a only an ordinary river venture which is handicapped to meet the obligatory peaking power demand. The investors of  the  project, are the Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation, Kvaerner, AAB, Seimens, Sulzer Eschar Wyss, Impregilo Foundation Corporation (Construction) and BHEL.

The Chamera Dam

The Chamera Dam is on the River Ravi. It is falling under the jurisdiction of the  district, of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The first stage of the dam provides about 540 MWs of energy. The second stage is expected to provide about 300 MWs of power.

The dam is built at an altitude of about 892 metres above sea level. It is at distance of 36 KM away from the place. One may watch the dam’s high water level ups and downs, from the months of April, May and June.

The temperature around this time of the year descends to 19 degrees centigrade in around the Chamera Dam. During December, the temperature here goes downwards. It is about below degrees centigrade.

The catchment area circles around 472.5 square Km and the area possesses a power house, having three units that provide about 180 MWs of energy each. The visitors come to this dam’s lake mainly to experience the sparkling water of the Chamera. There are varied types of water sports. They play an important role in the lake area.

The Asan Barrage

The Asan Barrage is located in the state of  Uttarakhand-Himachal Pradesh border area, in the Doon Valley, of  the District of Dehradoon, of North India. It is also on the confluence of the Eastern Yamuna Canal and the Asan River. IT is also 11 KM from Dakpathar, and 28km northwest of the district of Dehradoon.

The dam is formed into the Asan Reservoir. It is also known as the Dhalipur Lake. This site is famous among tourists. It is a good site for bird watching. About 53 variety of birds flock this spot. Migratory birds from Eurasia make up about 19 types.

The Govind Sagar Reaservoir, is a man – made reservoir on the Sutlej River. It is in the district of Bilaspur. This is a massive hydro dam at Bhakra and is named so to honour Guru Gobind Singh the 10th Sikh guru. It is the world’s highest and magnitudinal dams.

The Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir is built in the Kangra district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is a lake and is named in the memory of the great hero Maharana Pratap Singh. This reservoir has an area of about 45,000 hectares and it is a man – made wetland constructed over the river Beas.

This reservoir with a 42 KM length and 2KM of breadth, provides varied types of water sports. These sports are surfing, sailing, rowing, water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking.

The Koldam Dam is a hydro project of the NTPC Limited, commonly called Koldam.The project is under construction as wall dam, on the river Sutlej, close to Barmana. It is on the Chandigarh-Manali High way- NH 21, under jurisdiction of the district of Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.The main purpose of this dam is to produce hydro energy. This project will provide 800 MWs power station. Artedvit.

The erstwhile Prime Minister, Shri A. B. Vajpayee laid the foundation on June 5th 2000. On January 14th 2004, work started on the dam. The project has been delayed relative to problems linked to habitation and forest destruction. The power generation was supposed to start from the year 2009. However, it has been postponed till 2013.About 66% of work is completed.

The Pong Dam

The Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir, in Kangra, which has alength measuring 42 KM and 2 Km in width. It provides varied water sport activities. Some of them are sailing, water skiing, rowing, surfing, kayaking and canoeing.List of other Dams in State

• Asan Barrage
• Bhakra Dam
• Chamera Dam
• Koldam Dam
• Maharana Pratap Sagar
• Nathpa Jhakri Dam
• Pandoh Dam
• Pong Dam

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