The Dams of Uttarakhand

What is the Dam?

A dam is a barrier that stops water flow and creates a reservoir. Dams are mainly built to produce electricity by using water. This form of electricity is known as hydroelectricity. Reservoirs created by dams suppress floods and provide water for irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Tehri Dam is its most famous showpiece. It is not only the highest Dam in India but also the tallest in the world. Uttarakhand boasts of several other big and small dams built for various purposes.

This article will see 5 important dams and the Baigul Dam in Uttarakhand.

Types of Dam:

• Arch Dam: An arch dam is a concrete dam that is curved upstream in the plan. It is designed so that the hydrostatic pressure (force of the water against it) presses against the arch, causing the arch to straighten slightly and strengthening the structure as it pushes into its foundation or abutments. 
• Gravity Dam: Dams constructed from concrete or stone masonry are Gravity dams. They are designed to hold back water by using only the weight of the material and its resistance against the foundation to oppose the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it.
• Arch-Gravity Dam: This Dam has the characteristics of both an arch dam and a gravity dam. It is a dam that curves upstream in a narrowing curve that directs most of the water pressure against the canyon rock walls. 
• Barrages: A barrage is a low-head diversion dam consisting of several large gates that can be opened or closed to control the amount of water passing through. 
• Embankment Dams: An embankment dam is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay, or rock. 
• Rock-Filled Dams: Rock-fill dams are embankments of compacted free-draining granular earth with an impervious zone. The earth utilised often contains many large particles, hence “rock-fill”.
• Concrete-face rock-fill dams: A concrete-face rock-fill dam (CFRD) is a rock-fill dam with concrete slabs on its upstream face. 
• Earth-fill dams: Earth-fill dams, also called earthen dams, rolled-earth dams or simply earth dams, are constructed as a simple barrier of well-compacted earth. 

Important Dams in Uttarakhand:

Uttarakhand important dams, the popular state lying to the North of India, is famous for its many dams, but the Tehri Dam is its most famous showpiece. It is not only the highest Dam in India but also the tallest in the world. Uttarakhand boasts of several other big and small dams built for various purposes. Here is a list of the major dams in the state of Uttarakhand.

• The Dhauliganga Dam

The Dhauliganga Dam is another major dam in Uttarakhand. It is located in the triangle between India and its neighbouring states. The Dam’s construction and functioning are jointly supervised by Kajima Corporation of Japan and Daewoo Corporation of Korea. Work on the Dam commenced in 2000 and was completed in 2005

• The Ramganga Dam

The Ramganga Dam is another major dam in Uttarakhand and has been constructed to serve the state’s electricity and irrigation needs. It is an earth and rock-filled Dam situated on the Ramganga river. Construction began in 1961 and was completed in 1974. Ramganga Dam is 128 metres tall and 715 metres long.

• The Bhimgoda Dam

The Bhimgoda Barrage is a dam on the Ganges near Haridwar and is one of the oldest dams in the state. It was constructed as the headworks of the Upper Ganga Canal in 1854 but was replaced two times, with the latest instance happening in 1983. While the key purpose of the barrage is irrigation, it is also used for hydroelectric generation and for controlling floodwaters. The barrage is 445 metres long and 675 metres wide.

• Bhalu Dam

The Bhalu Dam is one of the most picturesque locations in the state of Uttarakhand and attracts hordes of tourists. It is an artificially made lake blessed with abundant natural beauty. A British Viceroy constructed it nearly two centuries ago to serve as a source of fresh drinking water. It is near Ranikhet and a popular fishing spot for tourists and locals.

Where is Baigul Dam?

Bail Dam is located at Baigul Dam, Barkoli Range, Uttarakhand, India.

Where are the coordinates of the Baigul Dam?

Latitude: 28.8821116

Longitude: 79.6313495

Conclusion:

So far, we have seen the most Important dams of Uttarakhand, the popular state lying to the North of India, is famous for its many dams, but the Tehri Dam is its most famous showpiece. Baigul dam is not only the highest Dam in India but also the tallest in the world. Energy in any form is the biggest wealth of a region. Uttarakhand is gifted with Hydro energy. We should exploit it to put it to optimum use. Let Uttarakhand become the surplus state in power generation and play a key role in the region’s development. To attain this goal, the following steps should be taken up immediately.