Important Major Dams in India: Highest, Longest, Largest, Oldest - Rivers

Important dams in India and related rivers: Know the list of Dams in India, State-wise Dams in India, longest, largest, highest, biggest and oldest dam in India for exam.

For any Competitive Exams like UPSC, TCS/TPS,SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, NDA, State PSC like MPSC,TPSC,APPSC,APSC and other exams, a solid understanding of India's dams and rivers is crucial. Questions from this segment of Indian Geography are a recurring feature in various exams, constituting an essential part of static GK. Today, we present a comprehensive list of Indian dams, their corresponding rivers, and the respective states, designed for students to facilitate self-study.

Important Dams in India

In India, there are currently 5,334 dams, with 447 of them being particularly significant. Because they are built across a river or stream to hold water back, dams are significant structures. They are obstructions that can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate energy. Dams provide reservoirs, which provide water for irrigation, flood control, aquaculture of plants and animals, irrigation for people, and navigation.

What is the Dam?

A dam is a barrier that stops the flow of water and results in the creation of a reservoir. Dams are mainly built in order to produce electricity by using water. This form of electricity is known as hydroelectricity.

Different Types of Dams

Given the multitude of dams in India, it becomes essential to acquaint oneself with them due to the presence of questions centered around Indian dams.

Based on the structure the types of dams are as mentioned below:

Arch Dam:

An arch dam is a concrete dam curved upstream in the plan. It is designed to have hydrostatic pressure press against the arch, thereby straightening it slightly. This strengthens the structure by pushing it into its foundation or abutments. Arch dams are most suitable for narrow canyons or gorges with stable rock walls.

Gravity Dam:

Gravity dams are constructed using concrete or stone masonry. They utilize the weight of the material and its foundation resistance to counter the horizontal pressure of water. These dams are designed with each section being stable and independent.

Arch-Gravity Dam:

Combining characteristics of both arch and gravity dams, the arch-gravity dam curves upstream to direct water pressure against canyon rock walls. This inward compression reduces the lateral force acting on the dam.

Barrages:

Barrages are low-head diversion dams featuring large gates that regulate water flow. By opening or closing these gates, the structure controls upstream water levels for various uses, including irrigation.

Embankment Dams

Embankment dams are large artificial structures created by compacting a semi-plastic mixture of soil, sand, clay, or rock. They have a semi-pervious natural surface covering and a dense, impervious core.

Rock-Fill Dams

Rock-fill dams consist of compacted, free-draining granular earth with an impervious zone. They often use earth with a high percentage of large particles, resulting in a "rock-fill" composition.

Concrete-Face Rock-Fill Dams

Concrete-face rock-fill dams (CFRDs) feature concrete slabs on their upstream face, serving as impervious walls to prevent leakage. They are designed without concern for uplift pressure.

Earth-Fill Dams

Also known as earthen dams, earth-fill dams are simple embankments of well-compacted earth. A homogeneous rolled-earth dam is constructed from a single material type and may include a drain layer for seep water collection.

Highest, Longest and Oldest in India:

List of All Dams in India: