A dam is a structure built over a water stream or a river to control the flow of water. These structures of dams in Pakistan play an important role in the development of country by meeting particular needs such as water supply, hydropower generation, irrigation, flood control and overall economic stability. With an arid to semi-arid climates prevailing in many regions water shortage remains a significant challenge. In these situations dams provide a sustainable solution by serving as reservoirs ensuring the regulation and controlled release of water.
Beyond their primary roles in storing water and generating electricity these structures serve as a wall against devastating floods by regulating river flow and reducing flood risks. Furthermore dams facilitate agricultural development by supplying water for irrigation, boosting crop production and supporting rural living. They also provide fun opportunities, promote tourism, municipal water supply, sustaining ecosystems and contribute to environmental protection by creating habitats and preserving biodiversity.
Dams serve as instruments for controlling soil erosion, ensuring a steady water supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs as well as act as a wall against the adverse impacts of climate change by managing water resources effectively. Additionally, dams facilitate inland navigation, fishery development and the promotion of water-based recreational activities enhancing the overall socio-economic fabric of the nation.
List of Important Dams in Pakistan
There are around 150 dams in Pakistan spread across all provinces. But here we’ll discuss a list of important dams of Pakistan that is asked in the Pak Studies section (about geography or map of Pakistan) of different competitive exams like PPSC, FPSC, NTS, PMS, CSS MPT and more. You are suggested to first go through this in detail so you can feel ease while remembering the mcqs about Pakistan.
Tarbela Dam
Dam Type: Earth Filled Dam (World’s Largest Earth and Rock Filled)
Location: Swabi, KPK
Construction Started: 1968
Completed in: 1976
Height: 143 meters (469 feet)
Length: 2,743 meters (9,000 feet) across the Indus River.
Primary Source: Indus River
Purpose of Dam: Hydroelectric Power Generation and Irrigation
Total Capacity: 4888 MW
Reservoir Capacity: 11.62 million acre-feet (14.3 billion cubic meters)
Mangla Dam
2nd largest dam of Pakistan
Location: Mirpur District
Construction Started: 1961
Completed in: 1967
Height: 148 meters (453 feet).
Length: 3,140 meters (10,302 feet).
Primary Source: Jhelum River
Purpose: Primarily used for hydropower generation and irrigation.
Total Capacity: 1150 MW
Reservoir capacity: 7.39 million acre-feet
Height of Mangla dam has been raised by 30 feet.
Mirani Dam
Dam type: Concrete Faced Rock Fill Dam (CFRD)
Location: Turbat, Kech District, Balochistan
Construction started: July 2002
Completed: July 2007
Height: 127 feet
Length: 3,080 feet
Primary Source: Dasht River
Warsak Dam
Dam Type: Mass Concrete Gravity Dam
Location: Peshawar Valley
Built in: 2 Phases
Commencement Date: 1951
First phase: 1960-1961
Second Phase: 1980-1981
Height: 250 Feet
Length: 460 feet
Primary Source: Kabul River
Water Storage Capacity: 25,300 acre-feet
Total Capacity: 242.96 MW
Sabakzai Dam
Dam Type: Earth and Rock Filled Dam
Location: Zhob, Balochistan
Construction started: 2004
Construction Completed: 2007
Height: 35 meters
Length: 395 meters
Primary Source: Zhob River
KalaBagh Dam
Dam Type: Earth Filled Dam
Status: Not started
Location: Mianwali, Punjab
Height: 83 m (272 feet)
Length: 500 m (1640 feet)
Hub Dam
Dam type: Earth Fill Dam
Location: Karachi district of Sindh and the Lasbela district of Baluchistan
Primary Source: Hub River
Construction Started: September 1963
Construction Completed: June 1981
Ghazi Barotha Dam
Location: Between Attock and Haripur
Primary Source: Indus River
Total Capacity: 1450 MW
Purpose: Electricity production through hydropower
Rawal Dam
Location: Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan
Primary Source: Korang River
Height: Approximately 40.8 meters (134 feet)
Capacity: The dam has a storage capacity of about 47,500-acre feet of water.
Neelum-Jhelum Dam
Dam Type: Composite Dam (Rock Fill + Gravity)
Location: Muzaffarabad
Height: 60 meters (197 feet)
Length: 160 meters (525 feet)
Primary Source: Neelum River
Installed Capacity: 969 MW
Diamer Bhasha Dam
Dam Type: Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) OR Concreted Filled Gravity Dam
Location: Between KPK and GB
Proposed Height: Around 272 meters (892 feet) upon completion
Primary Source: Indus River
Purpose: Intended for hydropower generation, irrigation and flood control
Khanpur Dam
Location: Khanpur, KPK
Height: Approximately 51 meters (167 feet)
Opening Date: 1984
Primary Source: Haro River
Purpose: Primarily used for water supply, irrigation and as a recreational spot for tourists, offering boating and fishing activities.
Capacity: The dam has a storage capacity of about 79,340-acre feet
Gomal Zam Dam
Dam Type: Gravity Dam
Location: South Waziristan, KPK
Height: 133 meters (437 feet)
Length: 231 meters (758 feet)
Commencement Date: July 2002
Operational Since: June 2013
Purpose: Primarily constructed for irrigation and hydropower generation.
Capacity: The dam has a storage capacity of about 1.14 million acre-feet.
