Dams in Pakistan have always been the most sought after things when it comes to general public view. The governments, on the other hand, have always invested in infrastructural projects that attract votes. This is one of the reasons we could not get the number of dams built for Pakistan that we should have. Most famous dams of Pakistan can be counted on finger tips.
We have over 150 small, medium or large dams that are currently operating. This is far low as compared to the neighboring countries where number of dams range in thousands.
There are multiple purposes to building a dam. They control floods, access rain water and if utilized properly, they can be used to generate electricity. That too at a very cheap cost. Hydropower is still the cheapest form of energy the mankind can produce. In a country like Pakistan where largest import is Oil, it would be vital building dams that can store water and generate electricity at the same time.
Most of the dams in Pakistan were built between 1060 to 1975, including Tarbela dam that holds the title of largest earth filled dam in the world.
Here is a List of the Most Famous Dams of Pakistan
| Name | Storage Capacity | Year of completion | Height | Location | Total Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Tarbela Dam | 11,098,000 acre-feet | 1976 | 143.26 meters | Haripur | $1.497 billion | |
| 2. Mangla Dam | 7.4 million acre-feet | 1967 | 147 meters | Mirpur District | $15.587 billion | |
| 3. Rawal Dam | 47,000 acre-feet | 1962 | 40.7 meters | Islamabad Capital Territory | —– | |
| 4. Mirani Dam | 302,000 acre-ft | 2006 | 39 meters | Kech district Balochistan | $5,811 million | |
| 5. Diamer Bhasha Dam | 8,107,132 acre-ft | Under Construction | 272 meters | Gilgit Baltistan | $14 billion | |
| 6. Warsak Dam | 25300 acre-feet | 1960 | 76.2 m (250 ft) | Peshawar, Kabul River | $40 million euros | |
| 7. Khanpur Dam | 79,980 acre-ft | 1983 | 51 m (167 ft) | Haripur, KP | 1,385.10 million rs | |
| 8. Namal Dam | 2,100 million cubic-feet | 1913 | 105 ft | Mianwali Punjab, Pakistan | 219,000 pounds | |
| 9. Gomal Zam Dam | 1,140,000 acre-feet (1.41 km3) | 2011 | 437 ft (133 m) height | South Waziristan Tribal District of KP | 13 billion rs | |
| 10. Hub Dam | 857000 acre-ft (0.847742 km3) | 1981 | 338 feet | Between the border of Sindh and Balochistan | 1191.806 million rs |
1- Tarbela Dam
Tarbela Dam is one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world and a key source of hydroelectric power for Pakistan. Located on the Indus River, about 50 km northwest of Islamabad, the dam was constructed between 1968 and 1976 with the primary purpose of providing irrigation water for the fertile agricultural lands of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan provinces and to generate electricity.
The dam has a height of 480 feet (146.5 meters) and a length of 10,732 feet (3,276 meters), making it one of the largest dams in the world in terms of volume. It has a gross storage capacity of 13.69 million acre-feet (16.97 billion cubic meters) of water and can generate up to 3,478 MW of electricity. The dam has 34 spillway gates and 10 turbines, each with a capacity of 347 MW.
In addition to its role in providing irrigation and electricity, the Tarbela Dam has also played an important role in reducing the impact of floods in the Indus River Basin. It is also used for water storage and regulation, helping to ensure a steady supply of water for irrigation and hydropower generation. The dam has also created a large man-made lake, known as Tarbela Lake, which is used for recreation and tourism.
Despite its benefits, the Tarbela Dam has also faced criticism for its impact on the local environment and indigenous communities. The construction of the dam resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of people, who were forced to leave their homes and ancestral lands. The dam has also altered the flow of the Indus River, which has had a significant impact on the ecology of the region. Nevertheless, the Tarbela Dam remains an important landmark in the history of Pakistan and a symbol of the country’s progress and development.
Besides the usefulness, it has also become a major picnic spot for many. A 2 hour drive from Islamabad makes it a top spot for thousands of tourists and local families.
2- Mangla Dam – Famous Dams of Pakistan
Mangla Dam is a large multi-purpose concrete dam located on the Jhelum River in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. It was constructed between 1961 and 1967 and was officially inaugurated in 1968. The dam is one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world, standing at an impressive height of 138 meters and with a length of 1,014 meters. The primary purpose of the Mangla Dam was to store water for irrigation and to generate hydroelectric power.
The Mangla Dam Reservoir created by the dam has a storage capacity of 7.3 billion cubic meters of water, making it the seventh largest in the world. The dam provides water to over 4 million hectares of land in Pakistan and supports agriculture, particularly in the region’s fertile river delta. It also generates hydroelectric power, with the dam’s power station having a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The dam has been instrumental in the development of Pakistan’s economy and has provided electricity to many areas in the country that were previously unconnected.
Aside from its economic benefits, the Mangla Dam is also a popular tourist destination in the region, attracting visitors from all over the world. The dam offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys and is surrounded by lush green forests. The dam has become an iconic symbol of the region and a testament to the technological and engineering prowess of the country.
Another interesting thing to know is that Mangla dam became the source for having Mangla lake, that is now a picnic point lying on a 2 hours drive from Islamabad. Mangla is among the most famous dams of Pakistan.
3- Rawal Dam
Rawal Dam is located in Margalla hills national park and was built in 1961. It gets waster from Korang River, and is regarded as one of the best places to visit in Islamabad. It can store about 47508 acre feet of water in its height of 40.7 m.
Rawal Dam is one the top destination dams owing to breath taking views of Margalla Hills. One can enjoy swimming, boating and fishing on the site. It has a park just around the corner with multiple restaurants and spots where families and kids can spend quality time.
4- Mirani Dam – Famous Dams of Pakistan
Mirani Dam is a multi-purpose dam located in Balochistan, Pakistan. It was constructed on the Dasht River, about 65 km from Turbat city, with the primary objective of providing irrigation water to the farmers in the surrounding areas and for hydropower generation. The dam was completed in 2006 and has a height of 60 meters and a length of 700 meters.
The dam has played a significant role in improving the water management and irrigation system in the region. It provides irrigation water to approximately 15,000 hectares of fertile land, supporting the agriculture sector and helping increase the production of crops such as wheat, cotton, and rice.The dam also has a hydropower generation capacity of 60 MW, which contributes to the country’s energy production and helps meet the growing demand for electricity.
Also Read: Top Ten Famous Lakes in Pakistan – Stunning Views
In addition to its practical uses, the Mirani Dam is also a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. Boating, fishing, and picnicking are some of the popular activities at the dam.
The Mirani Dam is considered a crucial development project for the region and has helped in the socio-economic development of the surrounding areas. It has brought about a significant change in the lives of the local communities and has helped alleviate poverty by providing employment opportunities and improving the standard of living.
5- Diamer Bhasha Dam
An 892 ft high with a storage capacity of 8,107,132 acre-ft that can generate a total of 4500 MW of electricity, Diamer Bhasha Dam is one of the Pakistan’s most sought after dam right now. From the top government officials to the private stack holders, everybody wants to build this $18 billion dam that is going to be a major step towards a power safe industrial future. Which makes Diamer Bhasha the most famous dam of Pakistan right now.
The experts suggest that the dam will be completed by 2028 if the construction progresses continuously. Although, it may take more time as the project has been put to a halt many times in the past. It was an idea of Ex President Pakistan, Gen Retd Pervaiz Musharaf. The lack of funds, primarily, was the reason for its slow development.
6- Warsak Dam
Warsak dam was completed in the year 1960 by the Canadian Government, under Colombo plan. A concrete dam that is linked to Kabul River is situated in the valley of Khebar Pukhtunkhwah can now generate 525 MW of electricity. Although, it was initially producing about 243 MW of electricity and WAPDA added an additional 375 MW extension in the year 2012. Warsak dam is about 140.2 m in length and 76.2 m in height making it capable of storing 25300 acre-feet of water.
Warsak Dam is one of the most famous dams of Pakistan due to its scenic beauty. The people of Peshawar spend their time fishing and boating, as the dam is just 20km away from the city, making it accessible for a day out.
7- Khanpur Dam – Famous Dams of Pakistan
Built in the year 1983 on Haro River, Khanpur Dam stands tall in the district of Haripur. The Khanpur Lake, an extension of the dam, is now a source of drinking water for the capital city Islamabad. A 51 meters high rock filled facility is now one of Islamabad’s top tourist attraction. From boating to fishing and from dining to cliff jumping, Khanpur has it all.
8- Namal Dam
The Namal Dam is a masonry dam located near the city of Mianwali in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It was constructed in the year 2003, and it serves the purpose of providing irrigation and drinking water to the surrounding areas. The dam is situated on the Namal River, which is a tributary of the Indus River.
The main purpose of the dam is to provide irrigation water to the nearby agricultural lands, as well as to regulate the flow of the Namal River to prevent floods. The dam is equipped with a spillway and a hydroelectric power plant, which generates electricity for the local population.
The Namal Dam is a significant landmark for the people of Mianwali and the surrounding areas, as it provides much-needed irrigation water for the local agriculture and also generates electricity for the nearby communities. The dam is considered to be a major source of livelihood for the local population, as it has created job opportunities in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
In terms of dimensions, the Namal Dam is approximately 90 meters in height and 430 meters in length. The dam has a gross storage capacity of approximately 150,000 acre-feet of water, and the hydroelectric power plant has a capacity of generating 9 megawatts of electricity.
9- Gomal Zam Dam
Gomal Zam Dam is a hydroelectric and irrigation dam located on the Gomal River in South Waziristan Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It was built between 1979 and 1985 with the main objective of providing irrigation water to the Dera Ismail Khan district and generating hydroelectric power for the region.
The dam has a height of 91 meters and a length of 1,300 meters, making it one of the largest dams in Pakistan. It has the capacity to store up to 1.2 million acre-feet of water, which is used to irrigate over 180,000 hectares of land in the surrounding area.
In addition to its primary functions of irrigation and power generation, Gomal Zam Dam also provides several socio-economic benefits to the local communities. It has created job opportunities for the people of the area, and has also helped to boost the regional economy by providing a reliable source of water for agriculture.
The dam has also been designed with environmental protection in mind, and has several features to mitigate its impact on the surrounding ecosystem. For example, the dam’s spillway has been designed to release water in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of downstream flooding.
In conclusion, Gomal Zam Dam is a significant landmark in Pakistan, not only for its historical and cultural value, but also for its practical and economic benefits. The dam continues to be an important asset for the region and plays a crucial role in the development of the local communities.
Gomal Zam Dam is 133 meters high and 231 meters long dam that can produce 17.4 MW of electricity using dual 8.7 turbines. It can also store 1,140,000 acre-feet of water and is linked to the famous Indus River. Gomal Zam Dam took approximately 10 years to complete, until it was finally made operational in the year 2011 along with a 500 meter canal. This canal is now one of the top picnic spots for the locals.
10- Hub Dam – Famous Dams of Pakistan
56 kilometers from Karachi, Hub Dam is located in between the province of Sindh and Balochistan. The name refers to District Hub that is home to the dam. Having a water storage capacity of over 1,140,000 acre-feet, the dam was built in the year 1983 at the cost of about 1191.806 million rupees. A total covered area of 24300 acres makes it the third largest dam of Pakistan.
In 1972, the Sindh Government declared Hub Dam a wildlife sanctuary. The reason? abundance of waders, ducks, pelicans and cranes. Dozens of other seasonal birds also make it a home for several months every year.
This is about it for the famous dams of Pakistan. I hope that I haven’t missed anything worth writing on this topic. Feel free to leave your comments below. Also let us know if you would like us to write more about the positive side of Pakistan.
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