Dams are one of the most fascinating engineering inventions in recorded history. They serve a variety of purposes, and they make our lives so much easier, whether we realize it or not! India is a country with a wide range of dams spread out across the country, some of which have existed for several centuries.
In this article, we’re going to look more closely at some of the oldest dams in India, so let’s dive in and take a closer look.
7 Oldest Dams in India
7. Somasila Dam
Location of Dam: Somasila, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh
Year of construction: 1985
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Just like many of the other dams mentioned on our list, the Somasila Dam is also located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It was constructed across the Penna River, and has a surface area of about 212.28 km.
A fascinating feature of this dam is that it is the greatest and biggets storage reservoir in the entire Penna River basin. It’s also worth noting that it has the ability to store the inflows from the area throughout an entire year.
Did you know?
The Somasila Dam is able to get water through the force of gravity from the nearby Srisailam Dam that is located in the Krishna basin.
6. Singur Dam
Location of Dam: Sangareddy district in Telangana
Year of Construction: 1979
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Trip Advisor
Unlike some of the other dams mentioned on this list, the Sangareddy Dam’s main purpose is to provide the people of Hyderabad with their drinking water. It was also built for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes as well.
It’s interesting to note that this dam was built on the Majira river, and its construction took nearly 20 years to complete.
If you’re curious about other remarkable feats of engineering, be sure to read our article on the oldest steel structures.
Did you know?
The Singur Dam is known for its history of delays in terms of its infrastructure.
Explore the 7 oldest rivers in the world and discover the ancient waterways that have shaped landscapes and civilizations for millions of years.
5. Dharoi Dam
Location of Dam: Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts, Northern Gujarat
Year of construction: 1971
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Dharoi dam is located in the Northern region of Gujarat in the Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts. Unlike the other dams on this list, it is a gravity dam located on the Sabarmati river.
The project involving this dam’s construction was hugely supported by the politician Vasant Parikh. He campaigned for it by walking for nine days from Vadnagar to Gandhinagar for it, and even met President Indira Gandhi.
Did you know?
Almost 40 villages were either fully or partially submerged into the Dharoi dam’s reservoir.
4. Ukai Dam
Location of Dam: Tapi District, Gujarat
Year of Construction: 1964
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Ukai Dam was first constructed in 1964, and its construction lasted until 1972. It was built across the Tapti River, which, interestingly enough, is one of the largest reservoirs in the state of Gujarat.
This dam was built specifically for flood control, generating power, and irrigation purposes. It’s also interesting to note that this dam’s capacity for holding water is similar to that of the Bhakra Nangal Dam.
Did you know?
Located near the dam is the Vajpur fort. It was built by the Gaekwad dynasty, who lived in Baroda. Depending on the time of day, you can see the fort when the water level in the reservoir is low enough.
3. Srisailam Dam
Location of Dam: Sri Sailam, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh
Year of Construction: 1960
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Srisailam Dam is also located in Andhra Pradesh. The project first started in 1960, but was originally envisioned as a power project and not as a dam.
One of the most fascinating features of this dam is that it was actually constructed as a gorge in the Nallamala Hills about 300m above sea level. It is over 500 m long, 412 feet high, and a reservoir that is more than 600 square kilometers.
Nowadays, the inflows into the Srisailam Dam aren’t used to generate power, but are stored for other purposes, like irrigation.
Did you know?
The Srisailam Dam costed more than $478,000 to construct.
Discover the 10 oldest bridges in the world and learn how these ancient structures have connected people and places for centuries.
2. Nizam Sagar Dam
Location of Dam: Kamareddy, Telangana, India
Year of Construction: 1923
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Nizam Sagar Dam was first constructed in 1923, and was officially opened in 1931. It was constructed by Mir Osman Ali Khan, and named after him as well.
He was the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad State, which was a princely state during its time and is now located in present-day Telangana. Although this dam is incredibly useful, it’s worth noting that it was made after emptying nearly 40 villages in length!
The dam is a masonry dam that is around 3 km in length and is spread across the Manjira River. It is easy to travel to and from the dam, thanks to a 14-foot wide road.
Until construction started on the dam, the Manjira River wasn’t equipped with the facilities required to divert water to the areas that needed it most nearby. However, after the dam was built, it became easier for the surrounding areas to get the necessary amounts of water that they needed.
Did you know?
The Nizam Sagar Dam water’s dependability has lessened by around 33% in recent years due to various political disputes.
1. Kallanai Dam
Location of Dam: Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India
Year of Construction: 150 CE
Status of Dam: Operational
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Kallanai Dam is the oldest dam in India and the world! The construction of this dam began in 150 CE; its construction was ordered by King Karikalan, who was an emperor belonging to the Chola Dynasty.
This dam was built and continues to exist across the Kaveri River. This river flows from the Tiruchirapalli District to Thanjavur district, though the dam itself is located in the Thanjavur district, in present-day Tanjore.
It’s interesting to note that the Kallanai Dam was built to divert water from the Kaveri River to the delta region for irrigation purposes. The channels to divert water were constructed in the form of canals.
It’s also worth noting that when the floodgates are open, the water passes through the three delta branches in the area and join the sea. Although this dam was built hundreds of years ago, it is still in excellent working condition!
Did you know?
The Kallanai Dam is over 1,000 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 18 feet high.
Discover the 8 oldest languages in India and learn about their rich history, cultural significance, and lasting influence on the region’s heritage.
Conclusion
In this article, we took a closer look at some of India’s oldest dams. The construction of each dam took several decades to complete, and although some of these dams are extremely old, they have survive for many, many years now!
We hope that you enjoyed reading this article, and that you learned something new from it today.
