Dams

Dams in PAKISTANByMuhammad Adeel (09-CE-132)

A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees (also known as dikes) are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions.

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ContentsPAKISTAN..........................................................................................................................................3

Importance of Dams for Pakistan.......................................................................................................3

Dams in Pakistan...............................................................................................................................4

TARBELA DAM................................................................................................................................5

MANGLA DAM................................................................................................................................8

Details...........................................................................................................................................8

WARSAK DAM..............................................................................................................................10

TANDA DAM.................................................................................................................................11

Details.........................................................................................................................................11

HUB(HAB) DAM............................................................................................................................12

Details.........................................................................................................................................13

AKARA DAM.................................................................................................................................14

Details.........................................................................................................................................14

KHANPUR DAM............................................................................................................................14

History.........................................................................................................................................15

RAWAL DAM................................................................................................................................17

Saddle......................................................................................................................................17

Spillway....................................................................................................................................17

Reservoir..................................................................................................................................17

Canals......................................................................................................................................17

Drinking water supply...............................................................................................................17

Command area.........................................................................................................................17

MISRIOT DAM..............................................................................................................................19

SIMLY DAM..................................................................................................................................19

Proposed Regional Dams.................................................................................................................20

PAKISTANThe Islamic Republic of Pakistan is situated at the junction of three major regions of Asia: Central Asia to the north, the Middle East to the west and the Indian Subcontinent to the east and southeast. The fauna of Pakistan has an interesting and varied composition which is due mainly to its location in a transitional zone between two of the world's six major biogeographically realms: the Pale arctic and Indomalayan (Oriental) Realms. The origin of some species can also be traced to the Afro tropical (Ethiopian) Realm. The Pale arctic fauna of Pakistan occurs largely in the upland regions of the Himalayas and Baluchistan. The Indomalayan fauna has its stronghold in the Indus Flood Plains, which extend from the coastal zone and Rann of Kutch in the extreme south to the Himalayan foothills in the north, and include the Cholistan and Thar deserts. Some mammalian species of Afro tropical origin occur in the Indus Flood Plains and along the Mekran coastal belt. Pakistan has some of the world's hottest low-lying areas together with some of the highest and coldest. The country thus possesses many of the world's major climatic and vegetation zones or biomes within a relatively small area.

Importance of Dams for PakistanPakistan is highly dependent on agriculture, which in turn is dependent on water. Of the79.6 million hectares of land that makeup Pakistan, 20 million are available for agricultural. Of those 20 million hectares, 16 million are dependent on irrigation. It is estimated that up to 90% of Pakistan’s agriculture is dependent on irrigation. An even more important fact is that many of Pakistan’s industries are agro-based, such as the textiles industry. Pakistan is fortunate in the soils, topography and climate, which are suitable for year round agriculture. Major agricultural areas lie within the plains formed by Indus River and its tributaries, namely Kabul, Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum and Sutlej. Indus plains are like a tunnel with number of water sources at the top, converging into single stream, which flows into the Arabian Sea, near the city of Karachi. First canal were constructed some 5to 6 centuries ago and extended under the great Mogul emperors. In earlier l9th century, there were numerous inundation canals leading from Indus and its tributaries. World's largest contiguous irrigation project was started in l9th century. After independence in1947, many more developments in the canal systems were made. Different barrages/canals i.e., (Kotri barrage-1956, Taunsa barrage-1958 and Guddu barrage-1962), link canals (Marala-Ravi (MR), Bambanwala-Ravi-Bedian-Dipalpur (BRBD) andBalloki-Salimanki (B S) were constructed.

A summary of this situation is made in the following table.

4 Dams in PAKISTAN

Dams in PakistanThree main dams Mangla, Tarbela and Warsak were constructed for the purpose of generating electricity and irrigating agricultural land. In addition, there are 23barrages/head works/siphons; main irrigation canals are 45,

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List of Dams in Pakistan:

1. Dhok Tallian Lake Dam

2. Ghazi Barotha Dam

3. Gomal Dam

4. Hub Dam

5. Karoonjhar Dam

6. Khanpur Dam

7. Kurram

Tangi Dam 8. Mangla

Dam 9. Mirani Dam 10. Misriot Dam 11. Rawal lake

Dam 12. Sabakzai

Dam

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13. Shakidor Dam 14. Simly Dam 15. Tanaza Dam 16. Tarbela Dam 17. Warsak Dam

TARBELA DAMThe world's largest earth-filled dam on one of the world's most important rivers- the Indus - is 103 km from Rawalpindi. The dam was completed in 1976 at a cost of Rs.18.5 billion. Over 15,000Pakistani and 800 foreign workers and engineers worked during its construction. It is the biggest hydropower station in Pakistan having a capacity of generating 3,478 MW of electricity. Its reservoir is 97 km long with a depth of 137 meters while total area of the lake is 260 Sq Km.

Details

Coordinates: 34°00'-34°15'N, 72°36'-72°54'E;

Location: 13 km northwest of Haripur, N.W.F.P.

Area: 25,090 ha.

Altitude: 471m.

Description of site: A large, freshwater reservoir on the Indus River, created by one of the 8 7

world's largest earth and rock dams, which was completed in 1974. The reservoir is the deepest

in the province, and has no shallow marshy areas. The average depth is 64m, the maximumdepth 137m, and the average drawdown 76m. The pH value remains stable at about 6.5. 0 9

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Climatic conditions: Subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 950 mm, and a relative humidity of 20-80%. Temperatures range from 2°C to 19°C in winter, and from 20°C to 39°C in summer.

Land tenure: The reservoir is state owned; surrounding areas are under public and Communal ownership.

Conservation measures taken: Massive reforestation programmes are being undertaken in the water catchment area, with the objectives of decreasing silt loads in the rivers, increasing permanent stream flow and increasing the life of the reservoir.

Conservation measures proposed: The area has been proposed as a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Land use: Water storage for irrigation, generation of electricity, fishing and boating; livestock grazing and agriculture in surrounding areas.

Disturbances and threats: The reservoir is silting up rapidly, and there is a considerable amount of disturbance from fishing and boating activities.

Economic and social values: Water supply for irrigation and generation of electricity. The reservoir has considerable value for outdoor recreation such as bird-watching, fishing, boating and sport hunting.

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8 Dams in PAKISTAN

MANGLA DAMThe Mangla Dam on the River Jhelum is one of the longest earth-fill dams in the world. The Indus Basin treaty of 1960 with India paved the way for its construction. The treaty provided for two dams, one on the River Jhelum at Mangla and the other on the Indus at Tarbela. World’s third largest earth-filled dam is only 115 km south-east of Rawalpindi. One has to turn left from Dina Town and the dam on river Jhelum is about 14 km to the east. The dam is 3,353 meters (11,000 ft) long and 116 meters high above the river bed with a crest elevation of 1,234 feet. It is designed to store 5.88 MAF water and also used for power generation. In the centre of the dam there is the Gakkhar Fort from where one can have a panoramic view of the lake. The Dam and Power House can be visited after acquiring permits from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) along with a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Interior .Besides the main dam, Sukian Dyke, 17,000 feet in length, and a small dam 3,700 feet long to block the Jari Nala were also constructed. Jari Dam is 11 miles from New Mirpur. Mangla Dam has two spillways on the right side. The main spillway has a normal service capacity of 900,000 cusecs. It has nine gates 36 feet wide and40 feet high. The second is an emergency spillway. Its design provides for a future increase of48 feet in height.

Details

Coordinates: 33°12'N, 73°39'E;

Location: 30 km NW of Jhelum, Punjab Province, on the border with Azad Kashmir.

Area: 26,500 ha.

Altitude: 630m.

Description of site: A deep freshwater reservoir on the Jhelum River, spanning the borderbetween Punjab Province and Azad Kashmir, in the foothills of the Pir Panjal Range. The damwas completed in 1967. The greater part of the reservoir lies in Azad Kashmir. There are longstretches of shallow water along the shoreline with patches of marsh vegetation. The waterlevel is subject to considerable fluctuations, and reaches its highest during the monsoon season.As the water level falls in late autumn, exposed land is leased to local farmers for the cultivationof wheat. The maximum depth of the reservoir is 91m, and the average drawdown 51m; the pHlevel remains stable at about 6.5.

Climatic conditions: Subtropical monsoonal climate with hot summers and cool winters. The

average annual rainfall is 1,000 mm; temperatures range from 0°C to 15°C in winter, and from20°C to 40°C in summer.

Land tenure: The reservoir is state owned, and under the control of the Water and Power

Development Authority; surrounding areas are privately owned.

Conservation measures taken: The reservoir has been declared a Game Reserve in whichhunting is allowed under permit. Massive reforestation programmes are being undertaken inthe catchment area to reduce siltation, increase stream flow throughout the year, andultimately increase the life span of the reservoir. - 8

Conservation measures proposed: It has been proposed that the area be declared a Wildlife C E

Sanctuary.

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Land use: Water storage for irrigation, generation of electricity, and fishing. Some 725 fishermen are engaged in fishing, and some 70-80 nets were in operation in 1985-86. The principal activity in surrounding areas is agriculture, mainly the cultivation of wheat.

Disturbances and threats: There is a high rate of sedimentation in the reservoir. In recent years, large numbers of ducks have been poisoned by farmers for allegedly causing damage to crops. The ducks have been poisoned with pesticide granules (Basudin) mixed with wheat grains, and then sold in local markets for human consumption. Many other ducks, particularly Aythya fuligula, are killed in fishing nets.

Economic and social values: Water supply for irrigation, generation of electricity, flood control and outdoor recreation. The reservoir supports a valuable fishery, and is one of the most productive of the recently constructed reservoirs in Pakistan. Some 1,725 metric tons of fish were harvested in 1983.

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WARSAK DAMThe gigantic multi-purpose Warsak Dam on River Kabul is situated 30 KMs north-west of Peshawar in the heart of tribal territory. It has a total generating capacity of 240,000 KW and will eventually serve to irrigate 110,000 acres of land.

The 250 ft. high and 460 ft. long dam with reservoir of 4 square miles had a live storage capacity of 25,300 acre-feet of water for irrigation of 119,000 acres of land and meeting power generation requirement. A spillway with nine gates is capable to discharge 540,000 cusecs offload water.

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TANDA DAM

Tanda Dam is located in Kohat District, Khyber PUKHTON KHWA Province, Pakistan. The dam is used for irrigation, fisheries and picnic which are constructed on the water of Kohat Toi River. At Kagazi village, river water is diverted towards Tanda dam. Although most of the shoreline is steep, stony and devoid of aquatic vegetation, at the west end there are some areas of gently shelving muddy shores with a small amount of emergent vegetation. Tanda Dam construction was supported by President Ayub Khan. Agricultural lands from Tanada dam up to Jarma and Dohda Sharif are irrigated where vegetables, wheat and sugar cane are cultivated.

Details

Coordinates: 33°35'N, 7l°22'E;

Location: east of the village of Barh, 7 km west of Kohat, N.W.F.P.

Area: 644 ha

Altitude: 528m.

Description of site: A small freshwater reservoir in a shallow valley with surroundinghills rising to 700m; the wetland is bounded by the cultivated areas of Shahpur to thesouth and Bai to the west. The reservoir is fed by the Kohat Toi stream and local run-off.There is very little submerged vegetation and there are no large areas of marshvegetation. Mud banks are exposed at low water levels. The average depth is about30.5m, the water level fluctuating according to local rainfall and flooding in the KohatToi; the pH value is 6.5.

Climatic conditions: Dry, subtropical climate with an annual rainfall of 250-760 mm

(average 300 mm). Temperatures range from 0°C to 20°C in winter, and from 24°C to45°C in summer.

Land tenure: The reservoir is state owned. Approximately 200 ha of the surrounding

land are under communal ownership; agricultural land is privately owned and theremainder is state owned.

Conservation measures taken: Some 405 ha of the reservoir were listed as a Wetland of

International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in July 1976. Administration andmanagement of the site is the responsibility of the Provincial Wildlife Department. Afour-year project for the forestation of the water catchment area was initiated in 1984,and a Reserved Forest Area of 162 ha has been established in the adjacent hills.

Conservation measures proposed: The area has been proposed as a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Land use: The reservoir is used as a water supply for irrigation; other uses include

fishing, recreation and harvesting of reeds (Typha) for a small cottage industry (mat-weaving and cot-making). The Fisheries Department has established a fish hatchery atthe reservoir and stocking has taken place, but fish production is low because of thepaucity of aquatic vegetation. There is some livestock grazing in the marshes, and 8

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agriculture in surrounding areas.

Disturbances and threats: Fishermen are a constant source of disturbance to the

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waterfowl, and disturbance from recreational activities could become a problem in the

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future. Livestock grazing and the cutting of reeds cause some destruction of aquatic vegetation.

Economic and social values: The reservoir provides a source of water for irrigation, and serves a valuable function in flood control. It supports a small fishery, and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation.

HUB(HAB) DAMHub Dam is a reservoir on the Hub River. It is situated 56 km from Karachi city in Malir and Lasbela District on Sindh and Balochistan border. The dam is extended to 24300 acres with gross storage capacity of 857000 acre feet. It is the Pakistan's third largest dam. It is an important source that provides the drinking water to the metropolitan city Karachi.

In 1974, the government of Sindh declared the area around dam as a wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is about 27219 hectors in size. It is favorable area for feeding and nesting for Cranes, Pelicans, Ducks and Waders. It also an important habitat of migratory birds. The Dam was designated a Ramsar site on 1st May 2001.

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Hub Dam is also a tourist resort. On weekend holidays a large number of peoples from Karachi visit there to enjoy picnic, swimming and fishing. A rest house of WAPDA is also located there for tourists stay

Details Coordinates: 25°15'N, 67°07'E;

Location: on the Hub (Hab) River, 40 km north of Karachi, on the border between Baluchistan and Sind Provinces.

Area: 27,219 ha.

Altitude: 1 50m.

Description of site: A large water storage reservoir constructed in 1981 on the Hub River, on the arid plains north of Karachi. The Hub River rises in the Kirthar Range of eastern Baluchistan, and enters the Arabian Sea just west of Karachi. The water level in the reservoir fluctuates widely according to rainfall in the water catchment area; the maximum depth is 46m and the average drawdown 19m.

Climatic conditions: Arid subtropical climate, with very hot summers, mild winters, and an average annual rainfall of less than 200 mm.

Land tenure: The reservoir is state owned; adjacent areas are privately owned communal lands.

Conservation measures taken: The reservoir is protected within the Hub Dam Wildlife Sanctuary (27,219 ha), established in 1972.

Conservation measures proposed: There are plans to intensify the management of the sanctuary and to develop the area as a resort for outdoor recreation. Reforestation should be carried out in the water catchment area to reduce erosion and sustain stream flow throughout the year.

Land use: Fishing; the reservoir supplies drinking water to Karachi City and water for irrigating agricultural land in Lasbella District, Baluchistan.

Disturbances and threats: Fishing activities cause some disturbance to waterfowl populations. The dam has had a detrimental effect on the ecology of the estuarine system downstream.

Economic and social values: Water supply for irrigation and domestic use. Hub Dam has the highest fishery potential of the smaller reservoirs in Pakistan.

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AKARA DAMAkra Kaur Dam, sometimes also referred to as Ankara Kaur Dam, is located near Gawadar in Balochistan, Pakistan. The dam was constructed in 1995 at a cost of $24 million to supply water to Gawadar and adjoining villages. It is the sole source of water supply to residents of the Gwadar District area. The dam stretches over an area of 17,000 acres (6,900 ha; 27 sq mi).

In 2005, torrential rain in the area caused an overflow from the dam, inundating a number of villages and claiming at least 20 lives. In July 2012, reports emerged that the dam had dried up completely due to large-scale siltation. This has posed serious water supply challenges to local residents, including acute shortage of drinking water.

Details Coordinates: 25°25'N, 62°20'E; Location: 30 km north of Gwadar Port, Baluchistan.

Area: Over 50 ha.

Altitude: 50m.

Description of site: A small water storage reservoir recently created by a long stone and earth embankment across the wide, shallow bed of the Akara River, a seasonal river rising in hills to the north.

Climatic conditions: Arid subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of about 150 mm, a relatively high humidity, and a mean annual temperature of 32°C. There are only slight diurnal and seasonal changes in temperature.

Land tenure: The reservoir is state owned.

Conservation measures taken: None.

Conservation measures proposed: It has been proposed that the reservoir be declared a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Land use: The reservoir provides a supply of drinking water for the town of Gwadar.

Possible changes in land use: There are plans to construct a second impoundment further upstream to provide water for irrigation purposes.

Disturbances and threats: There is a considerable amount of hunting in the area.

Economic and social values: Water supply for domestic use.

KHANPUR DAM

Khanpur Dam is a dam located on the Haro River near Potowar Plateau and the village of Khanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, about 25 miles (40 km) from Islamabad, Pakistan. It caters to domestic water supplies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and irrigation water to many of the agricultural and industrial areas surrounding the cities.

The dam was completed in 1983 after a 15-year construction period believed to have cost Rs. 1,352 million. It is 167 feet (51 m) high and stores 110,000 acre feet (140,000,000 m3) of water.

The adjoining Khanpur Lake is the venue for Sarhad Tourism Corporation's annual airborne and waterborne sports gala. The event, termed as the 'biggest' in Pakistan was scheduled to take place between 9 and 11 April 2010. 0

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History

The dam was built by Ayub Khan, former President of Pakistan. The dam was believed by many to be a way for Khan to settle political scores with the feudal chief of Gakhars Raja Erij Zaman.

The forefathers of local Gakhars Rajas were given much of the local land by the British during the nineteenth century. The British rewarded the Gakhhars for their cooperation in defeating the Sikhs, but deprived the local Awan and other farmers of their land. When the decision to build Khanpur Dam was made, the Rajas wanted to receive compensation for all the land, thus depriving all the local inhabitants of their land rights. The residents desperately wanted to receive compensation or new land in the nearby New Khanpur.

The local community, led by Abdul Bashir Khan (the father of Saeed Khan), the young secretary ofKhanpur’s WAPDA Union in the early 1970s, took on the Ghakhars and their friends in the Khyber

Pakhtoon Khoa parliament. Amid threats and intimidation, the campaign succeeded in uniting most local villagers, who had nothing but their land. Abdul Bashir and his fellow activists decided to take their campaign straight to then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor Hayat Sherpao by camping outside the governor's house for days. Abdul Bashir and his fellow activists leftPeshawar only after they had succeeded in winning the land rights for the people of Khanpur.

The locals were promised free water and electricity by WAPDA and the then provincial and federal governments, but are still waiting to this day.

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17 Dams in PAKISTAN

RAWAL DAM

Type of dam: partly arched gravity dam (stone masonry) Crest level: 1,742 ft (531 m) Crest length: 700 ft (210 m) Maximum height: 133.5 ft (40.7 m)

Saddle

Length 6,991 ft (2,131 m) Height 24 ft (7.3 m)

Spillway

Type: Ogee gated structure Discharge Capacity: 82000 ft³/s (2,300 m³/s)

Reservoir

Area: 3 square miles (7.8 km2) Maximum depth: 102 feet (31 m)

Live storage: 43,000 acre feet (53,000,000 m3)

Dead storage: 4,500 acre feet (5,600,000 m3)

Gross capacity: 47,500 acre feet (58,600,000 m3)

Canals

Left bank canal: length 5 miles (8.0 km)

Capacity: 40 ft³/s (1.1 m³/s) Right bank canal: length 1.5 miles (2.4 km)

Capacity: 70 ft³/s (2.0 m³/s)

Drinking water supply

Rawalpindi Islamabad

Command area

Agriculture: 500 acres (2.0 km2)

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MISRIOT DAMMisriot dam is a small dam built on an artificial lake located 12 km south west of Rawalpindi. Misriot dam has a small storage capacity and mostly provides water for irrigation and drinking to small villages and towns around the lake.

SIMLY DAMSimly Dam is an 80m high earthen embankment dam on the Soan River, 30 km east of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is the largest reservoir of drinking water to people living in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The water stored in this dam is fed by the melting snow & natural springs of Murree hills.Simly Dam is located around 30-kilometer (19 mi) east of Islamabad. About 10 to 15 minutes drive from Convention Center Islamabad towards Murree, a road is branching off to the right which is marked Simly Dam Road. Usually, it takes around 30 minutes to reach Simly Dam from this road. The road is not very smooth and has bumps but the surroundings are beautiful (till April 2008).

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Proposed Regional Dams

Name Type Reservoir Locationcapacity

Winder Dam project Earth core rock fill 36,484 AF Across Winder River about 100 Kmdam(ECRD) from Karachi in district Lasbela

BalochistanDarwat dam project Earthen dam 121,790 AF It is located near village Jhangri,

District Jamshoro, about 20 kmsfrom Super highway.

Ghabir Dam project Earth Core Rock fill 66,200 AF Ghabir RiverDam

Naulong Storage Earth fill 242,452 AF Mula river at Sunt about 30 Kmsdam project From Gandawa City in Tehsil and

District Jhal Magsi of Balochistan.Hingol dam project Central Core Zoned 1,405,000 AF District Lasbela across Hingol river in

Dam Balochistan Province at a distance of260 Kms North West of Karachi andabout 16 Kms North of Bridge acrossHingol River on Makran CoastalHighway.

Garuk dam project Earth core 50,695 AF about 47 KM South East of KharanTown across Garuk River

Pelar dam project Concrete gravity 66,900 AF 160 KM from Awaran Town inDistrict Awaran.