List of Famous Dams in Pakistan
Pakistan is a country rich in natural beauty, scenic views, mountains, rivers, breathtaking desserts, and plenty of natural resources. Waterfalls in Pakistan are considered as some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Moreover, Pakistan has beautiful places to visit, specifically when it comes to Dams in Pakistan. Being an agricultural country Pakistan needs a large resource of water.
Do you know How many dams in Pakistan?
There are 150 total dams in Pakistan. These Dams are a source of providing water and electricity and beautiful and attractive picnic spots for the local people. There are several restaurants too where you can eat delicious food while enjoying the beauty of nature. If you are a foodie, you should explore restaurants in Islamabad that serve a diverse range of cuisine.
The main purpose of dam construction is to control floods, storage of water, generation of hydropower electricity, and benefit the local people. These dams are mostly built on streams and rivers. Most of the Dams in Pakistan are located in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Most of the Dams were built between 1960 to 1975. Because of the fast construction of dams in Pakistan, we also hold the title of the largest earth-filled dam in the world named Tarbela Dam.
In this article, we are going to provide you the list of How many biggest dams are in Pakistan? and the basic general knowledge about dams in Pakistan. Below we have mentioned a list of Famous dams in Pakistan. Also read about historical places in Pakistan.
| Name | Storage Capacity | Year of completion | Height | Location | Total Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tarbela Dam | 11,098,000 acre-feet | 1976 | 143.26 meters | Haripur | USD 1.497 billion | |
| 2. | Mangla Dam | 7.4 million acre-feet | 1967 | 147 meters | Mirpur District | 15.587 billion | |
| 3. | Rawal Dam | 42,000 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 | USD 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 | Rs. 1,385.10 million | |
| 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 | Rs. 13 billion | |
| 10. | Hub Dam | 857000 acre-ft (0.847742 km3) | 1981 | 338 feet | Between the border of Sindh and Balochistan | ₨1191.806 million (US$7.4 million | |
| 11. | Neelum-Jhelum Dam | 6,486 acre⋅ft | 2018 | 60 m | neelum river, nauseri, Muzaffarabad, 13100 | Rs.515 Billion | |
| 12. | Satpara Project | ——— | 2011 | 39 m | Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan | ——— | |
| 13. | Gulpur Dam | 21,893,000 m3 | 2020 | 35 m | Kotli – Mirpur Rd | Rs 34 Billion | |
| 14. | Sabakzai Dam | 40,335,000 m3 | 2007 | 35 m | Zhob, Balochistan | Rs. 1960.823 million | |
| 15. | Kurram Tangi Dam | 1.20 MAF | 2016 | 98 m | North Waziristan | Rs. 30 Billion | |
| 16. | Mohmand Dam | 1.29 MAF | 2026 | 213 m | District Mohmand KP | Rs 340 billion (US$1.2 billion) | |
| 17. | Darawat Dam | 120,000 Acre ft | 2013 | 43 m | Jamshoro District of Sindh | 9.3 Billion PKR |
1. Tarbela Dam
Tarbela Dam construction was started in 1968 and the project was completed in 1976. Tarbela Dam is one of the largest Dam in Pakistan. It also holds the title of the earth-filled largest dam in the World. This amazing dam is constructed on the Indus river with 143.26 meters in height and 2,743.2 meters in length. The storage capacity of the dam is about 13.69 cubic km. The major purpose of building this dam was hydropower electricity generation and irrigation.
In addition, Tarbela Dam has a capacity of 4888 Megawatts, for power generation. This is the first dam in Pakistan that produces almost 70% of hydroelectric power. Tarbela Dam is one of the biggest hydroelectric dams in Pakistan. Tarbela Dam is just a 2-hour drive from Islamabad the capital of Pakistan. Tarbela Dam is one of the most popular Dam on the Pakistan map that is considered to be the best picnic spot for locals. It also takes a part in swimming, boating activities, and fishing. Read more about Forex Trading in Pakistan
2. Mangla Dam
Mangla Dam is the second largest dam in Pakistan. It is located in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The construction of Mangla Dam was started in 1961 and completed in 1967. It is not just a resource for electricity generation. It also plays a massive role in the international agreement between Pakistan and India, known as the Indus Waters Basement Treaty.
The Dam is built on the Jhelum River with a height of 147 meters and a length of 3140 meters. It has a water storage capacity of 7.39 million acre-feet (M.A.F). This Dam was constructed for water storage later on it was modified for the generation of hydropower electricity. It has a capacity of 1,150 megawatts, for power generation. Mangla Dam became a creation of Mangla Lake which had a 2-hour continuous drive from Islamabad and a 4-hour drive from Lahore.
Mangla Dam is one of the most visited picnic destinations for the locals. It also takes part in different activities like swimming, fishing, boating, rafting, and jet skiing. Mangla Dam is listed in between one of the biggest hydroelectric dams in Pakistan. Get to know about Famous Deserts of Pakistan
3. Rawal Dam
Rawal Dam was constructed in 1962 and located in Village Malpur, Margalla Hills National Park, and considered in best places to visit in Islamabad. Rawal Dam gets the water from the Korang River. It has a height of 40.7 m (133.5 ft) with a water storage capacity of 47,508 acre-ft. Rawal Dam resulted in the creation of Rawal Lake. Rawal Lake is one of the most famous picnic places in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Rawal Dam supplies the water to the twin cities of Pakistan known as Rawalpindi and Islamabad. That’s why Rawal Lake gives a stunning look along with Margalla Hills. The highest point of the lake gives a scenic view of Rawal Dam, Margalla Hills, and twin cities. Rawal Dam is one of the best Dams on the Pakistan map to visit. Read more about Northern Areas of Pakistan.
4. Mirani Dam
Mirani Dam is located in the Dasht River at the south of Central Makran Range in Balochistan. Mirani Dam started to begin in 2002 and was completed in July 2006. The Dam was commissioned to provide water to Gawadar and Turbat City. It is 127 ft in height and 3,080 ft in length. It has the capacity for 302,000 acre-feet of water storage. Mirani Dam is one of the largest dams in Balochistan. Do you know how many dams in Balochistan? There are almost 29 Dams in Balochistan but Mirani Dam is one of the most famous dams in Balochistan. The dam stores the water facility in floods or the summer season. The total cost of the Mirani Dam was 5,267.90 million. It is considered to be one of the largest dams in Pakistan in terms of floodwater storage. Get to know about Beautiful Lakes in Pakistan.
5. Diamer Bhasha Dam
Diamer Bhasha Dam is one of the new dams in Pakistan. It is located in Gilgit Baltistan. The Dam is in the early stages of construction. It is said the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam can be completed in 2028. It is built on the river Indus in between KP and Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan. After completion of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, it will become the world’s largest Roller-compacted concrete Dam. The name ‘Bhasha’ is taken from a location Bhasha at Diamer district in Gilgit.
The Dam has a height of 272 m (892 ft) with a storage capacity of 8,107,132 acre-ft. The total cost of the dam estimated at the start was $12 billion but later on, the experts say it can range from $18 billion to $20 billion. The Dam will be able to produce hydroelectricity of 4500 MW with the help of its 12 turbines. The project of Diamer Bhasha Dam was presented by the former president of Pakistan Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The construction of this dam stopped many times in the past, the reason behind was the lack of funds. After completion of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, it will bring huge economic development to Pakistan. Get to know about Historical Places in Peshawar
6. Warsak Dam
The construction of Warsak Dam was started in 1949 and completed in 1960 under the Colombo plan by the Canadian Government. The total installed capacity of the dam was 243 MW. In 2012 WAPDA added 375 MW and increased the capacity to 525 megawatts to meet the exceeding demands of the people. It’s a concrete dam situated at the valley of Peshawar, Kabul River. It has a total height of 76.2 m (250 ft) and length is about 140.2 m (460 ft). This dam is a result of the collaboration of the Canadian and Pakistan Governments. It has a total storage capacity of 25300 acre-feet. It’s just 20 kilometers from Peshawar, the capital of KP province of Pakistan. Locals of the city and nearby locations visit this dam for boating and fishing excursions because it counts in the places to visit in peshawar.
7. Khanpur Dam
Khanpur Dam is located in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It was built in 1983 on the Haro river to curb the flow of the river. This dam formed Khanpur lake that supplies drinking water to Islamabad the capital of Pakistan and Rawalpindi. Khanpur lake attracts the tourists and locals of the city with its stunning blue-green water shores and Taxila Museum which is one of the famous Museums in Pakistan.
The thing that makes it one of the most famous dams in Pakistan is the supply of water to Attock, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Haripur to offer irrigation water. This dam construction cost is Rs. 1,385.10 million and it was completed in 15 years. Khanpur is a rockfill dam with a total height of 51 m (167 ft). People used to visit this dam to perform such activities as boating, zip-lining, camping, hiking, swimming, cliff jumping, jet skiing, and kayaking. Read more about Real Estate Projects in Peshawar.
8. Namal Dam
Namal Dam is located at Rikhi, a village situated in a corner of Namal valley, 32 km from Mianwali, Punjab province of Pakistan. It was constructed in 1913 by the British Government with Namal lake owning a surface area of 5.5 km². By looking at the western and southern sides of the dam you can see the view of stunning mountains. The north and east sides consist of agricultural areas of the city.
The main purpose of dam creation was to provide water irrigation to the local farmlands. For over a century this one of the famous dams in Pakistan has served tons of water to the farmers in the area. But over time now, it has taken a place as the best picnic spot in the city. Usually, locals and tourists visit this dam to perform boating, hiking, and bird-watching activities. Get to know about Travel Agencies in Peshawar
9. Gomal Zam Dam
Gomal Zam Dam is located in the South Waziristan Tribal District of KP province of Pakistan. It’s one of the most strategic dams in Pakistan map that impounds the Gomal River, a tributary of the Indus River, at Khajuri Kach. The reason for this dam creation was irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and food. The construction was started in 2001 and completed in 2011. Gomal zam is one of the best hydroelectric dams in Pakistan with a storage capacity of 1,140,000 acre-feet (1.41 km3).
Gomal dam is chosen for one of the most famous six tourist spots with 2 x 8.7 turbines, 437 ft (133 m) height, and 758 ft (231 m) length. It’s a roller-compacted concrete gravity dam with a 0.5 km long main canal. Locals of the nearby areas visit the dam for fishing and family picnics. When it comes to the hydroelectric dams in Pakistan Gomal zam dam stands alone for producing 17.4 MW of electricity. Read more on about Hotels in Peshawar
10. Hub Dam
Hub Dam is located between the border of Sindh and Balochistan and 56 km from Karachi. It’s built on Hub River, which is a big source of supplying drinking water in Karachi. The construction of the hub dam was started in 1963, it took almost 20 years to be completed. In 1981 the dam construction was completed and the govt opened it for the public. With a storage capacity of 857000 acre-ft (0.847742 km3) the dam was built for water irrigation. It was the first dam constructed at the cost of ₨ 1191.806 million. It’s also Pakistan’s third-largest dam with a total area of 24300 acres.
This dam was declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the Sindh government in 1974. A lot of ducks, pelicans, waders, cranes and other seasonal birds have been seen by the locals in their natural habitat. It’s famous to be the most visited picnic spot for the people of Karachi for swimming, fishing, and overnight camping activities. Get to know about best colleges in Peshawar.
11. Neelum-Jhelum Dam
The dams in Pakistan include a relatively newly constructed dam named Neelum- Jhelum dam. This famous dam in Pakistan is a project started by a Chinese company to control and divert the flow of water from the Neelum river to the Jhelum river. A Neelum-Jhelum Hydro power plant is to be situated in the valley.
The preliminary phases of this dam’s construction have begun. The Chinese company was awarded the contract to build the dam in July 2007, and construction on the plant began in 2008. However, the project impeded for many years before finally launching the first generator in April 2018. It is one of the small dams but holds great potential. Get to Know about Things to Know Before Investing in Cryptocurrency
This Power Plant is located in Pakistan’s Azad Jammu and Kashmir, approximately 26 miles (42 kilometres) south of Muzaffarabad. It has a capacity of 969 MW of hydroelectric power.
Regrettably, on August 14, 2018, the fourth and final power unit began producing electricity. It reached a maximum capacity of 969 MW. The entire plan was completed in August 2018.
Dam-created reservoirs prevent floods as well as provide water for crop irrigation. The water from the reservoirs is used for human consumption, industrial use, fish farming, and navigation. Read more about Online Shopping Websites in Pakistan
12. Satpara Project
The dam is one of the new dams of Pakistan, enlarged to the size of Satpara Lake, generates 17.36 MW of hydroelectricity, supplies power to approximately 30,000 households in the spectacular Valley of Skardu, irrigates 15,536 acres (62.87 km2) of land. The dam supplies 3.1 million gallons per day of clean drinking water to Skardu city, which is a large quantity. Annual agricultural output in the Skardu Valley is expected to increase more than four-fold, generating about $6 million in additional annual economic benefits to local communities. Get to know about Insurance Companies in Pakistan
Objectives of the Dam:
The main goal of the Satpara Development Project is to provide irrigation water to 15,500 acres of land, increase incomes by 20 percent for 12,000 families, and create 4,850 new jobs in the region through construction of efficient irrigation systems. Work on agricultural products through this famous dam is also under construction. Check out historical places in Islamabad.
13. Gulpur Dam
Gulpur Dam, situated on the scenic Poonch River in the Kotli district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, is a testament to modern engineering’s harmony with nature. This run-of-river hydroelectric project harnesses the power of the Poonch River to generate clean and sustainable energy for the region. Located approximately 285 kilometers from Lahore and 167 kilometers from Islamabad, its accessibility through well-maintained mountain roads underscores its strategic placement.
With a design capacity of 100 Megawatts, Gulpur Dam plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s quest for cost-effective energy generation. The project, spearheaded by MIRA Power Limited, a subsidiary of the Korean company KOSEP, represents a significant step towards meeting the country’s energy needs while preserving the region’s natural beauty and resources. The view is so beautiful that you can go for a picnic with family. You can also take your family to famous picnic spots in Islamabad to spend some quality time.
14. Sabakzai Dam
Sabakzai Dam is a formidable example of an embankment dam, a massive artificial structure primarily constructed by compacting a complex mixture of soil and rock. Located in the southwestern region of Pakistan, in the province of Balochistan, this dam plays a pivotal role in managing the flow of the Zhob River. Constructed between 2004 and 2007, the Sabakzai Dam has proven instrumental in irrigating the surrounding agricultural lands, offering a lifeline to local farmers.
Additionally, it has transformed into a cherished recreational area for nearby residents, providing leisure opportunities in a region where they were previously scarce. This impressive structure spans approximately 395 meters in length, with its massive earth and rock fill resting on a sprawling base area covering 7,300 acres. The dam’s inauguration, on September 3, 2007, was a momentous occasion, marked by the presence of former President Pervez Musharraf.
Sabakzai Dam is a prominent addition to the extensive list of dams in Pakistan, playing a vital role in addressing the nation’s water resource management needs. Furthermore, the dam has attracted the attention of real estate companies in Islamabad, leading to increased investments in the area as they expect land values to rise, likely to bring about significant changes in the region.
15. Kurram Tangi Dam
Pakistan is currently witnessing the construction of more than seven dams; among these, the Kurram Tangi Dam is a significant project. Positioned strategically in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), it spans the Kurram River, also known as the Kaitu River. Located 14 kilometers upstream from the Kurram Garhi Headworks and 32 kilometers north of Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Kurram Tangi Dam is set to become one of the largest dams in Pakistan upon completion. This multipurpose dam holds immense promise for the region’s development and resource management.
The Kurram Tangi Dam boasts a remarkable capacity for generating 83.4 MW of power, and its construction is unfolding in two stages. Stage 1 includes the development of an 18-foot-tall weir. With an expected completion timeline of three years, this dam project aims to provide irrigation water to approximately 16,000 acres of land and generate an initial 18 MW of electricity. As a significant addition to Pakistan’s growing portfolio of dams, the Kurram Tangi Dam holds promise for bolstering regional development and resource utilization. Upon completion, the dam will also boost the region’s economy.
The development around the dam is expected to bring in many new commercial spaces and hotels. This will boost the local economy and create numerous job opportunities for the residents. Additionally, these hotels will likely offer top-notch services like hotels in Islamabad, elevating the city’s hospitality industry and providing visitors with a more upscale experience.
16. Mohmand Dam (Munda Dam)
Mohmand Dam is under construction dam soon to be completed in the year 2026. The dam is located in Mohmand District of KPK about 37 km north of Peshawar city. It is built on River Swat at the estimated cost of PKR 340 billion. The height of the dam is 213 meters, and the length is 760 meters.
Though the Mohmand dam is not the largest dam of Pakistan it has a storage capacity of 1.29 million acre-feet which will be enough to irrigate 15,100 acres of land and generate approximately 740 MW of hydroelectricity. One of the main purposes of the construction of the Mohmand Dam is to control the flood water.
17. Darawat Dam
Darawat Dam was constructed in 2013, and inaugurated by former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari. The estimated cost of the dam was PKR 9.3 billion. It is another popular dam from the list of dams in Pakistan.
The Darawat Dam is a concrete gravity dam built on the Nai Baran River near Jhangri Village in the Jamshoro district of Sindh. The dam has a length of 250 meters and a height of 43 meters. Moreover, the Darawat Dam has a storage capacity of 120,000 acre ft of water which is enough for irrigating 25,000 acres of land. In its vicinity, multinational companies in Pakistan find opportunities for growth and sustainability, complementing the region’s development initiatives.
Conclusion:
So these were the top 17 list of dams in Pakistan that are a big source of providing water irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and food. As well as playing a massive role in promoting tourism in Pakistan. Also check out tourism companies in Pakistan. As above we have given you general knowledge about dams, that there are 150 total dams in Pakistan. Dams are important for the storage of water and generation of electricity as experts claim after 2025 there will be a big shortage of water worldwide. Pakistan is an agricultural country and we need water to survive in this tough era. We hope that this article will be informative for you. You can also read our blog about the top construction companies in Pakistan that are building these dams, shopping malls in Islamabad, and best universities in Islamabad to promote Pakistan as an industrial country.
FAQs
Which is the first largest dam in Pakistan?
Tarbela Dam is the first largest dam in Pakistan located in the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
How many barrages are in Pakistan?
The exact number of barrages in Pakistan is changing with the construction of new projects. Currently, there are 19 barrages in Pakistan.
Which is the most famous dam in Pakistan?
Tarbela dam is the most famous dam in Pakistan.
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