Major Dams in India: State-Wise List

• North India

 

• Himachal Pradesh
  Bhakra Dam: Sutlej River (Bilaspur)
  The Pong Dam: Beas River
  The Chamera Dam: Ravi River (Chamba District)

 

• Jammu & Kashmir
  Salal Dam: Chenab River (Reasi District)
  Baglihar Dam: Chenab River (Doda District)

 

• Punjab
  Ranjit Sagar Dam: Ravi River (Border of J&K and Punjab)

 

• Uttar Pradesh
  Rihand Dam (Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar): Rihand River (Sonbhadra)
  Matatila Dam: Betwa River (Lalitpur District)
  Rajghat Dam: Betwa River (Lalitpur)

 

• Uttarakhand
  Tehri Dam:Bhagirathi River (Tehri)
  Ramganga Dam:Ramganga River (Pauri Garhwal District)
  Jamrani Dam:Gola River (Nainital District)

 

• South India

 

• Andhra Pradesh
  Srisailam Dam: Krishna River (Kurnool District)
  Somasila Dam: Penna River (Nellore District)
  Prakasam Barrage: Krishna River (Krishna and Guntur)
  Tatipudi Reservoir: Gosthani River (Vizianagaram)
  Gandipalem Reservoir: Penner River

 

• Telangana
  Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Krishna River (Nalgonda)
  Sri Ram Sagar: Godavari River
  Nizam Sagar Dam: Manjira River
  Singur Dam: Manjira River
  Ramagundam Dam: Godavari River (Karimnagar)
  Dindi Reservoir: Krishna River (Mahabubnagar)
  Lower Manair Dam: Manair River
  Dummaguden Dam: Godavari River

 

• Karnataka
  Krishna Raja Sagara Dam: Kaveri River (Mandya)
  Tungabhadra Dam: Tungabhadra River (Hospet)
  Almatti Dam: Krishna River (Bijapur District)
  Linganamakki Dam: Sharavathi River (Sagara Taluk)
  Supa Dam: Kali River (Uttara Kannada)
  Bhadra Dam: Bhadra River (Bhadravathi)
  Hemavathy Dam: Hemavathy River (Hassan)
  Malaprabha Dam: Malaprabha River (Belgaum)
  Raja Lakhamagouda Dam: Ghataprabha River (Belagavi)
  Lakya Dam: Lakhya River

 

• Kerala
  Idukki Dam: Periyar River (Arch Dam)
  Cheruthoni Dam: Periyar River (Idukki)
  Kulamavu Dam: Periyar River (Idukki)
  Idamalayar Dam: Idamalayar River (Ernakulam)
  Kakki Reservoir: Pamba River (Pathanamthitta)

 

• Tamil Nadu
  Mettur Dam:Cauvery River (Salem District)
  Bhavanisagar Dam: Bhavani River (Erode District)
  Solaiyar Dam: (Coimbatore District)

 

• Central & West India

 

• Rajasthan
  Ranapratap Sagar Dam:Chambal River (Rawatbhata)
  Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam: Mahi River (Banswara District)
  Bisalpur Dam: Banas River (Tonk District)

 

• Gujarat
  Sardar Sarovar Dam: Narmada River (Navagam)
  Ukai Dam: Tapti River (Tapi District)
  Kadana Dam: Mahi River (Panchmahal District)
  Karjan Reservoir: Karjan River (Narmada District)

 

• Madhya Pradesh
  Gandhi Sagar Dam: Chambal River (Mandsaur District)
  Indira Sagar Dam: Narmada River (Narmada Nagar)
  Tawa Reservoir: Tawa River (Hoshangabad District)

 

• Maharashtra
  Koyna Dam: Koyna River (Koyna Nagar)
  Jayakwadi Dam: Godavari River (Aurangabad District)
  Isapur Dam: Penganga River (Pusad)
  Totladoh Dam: Pench River (Nagpur)
  Warna Dam: Warna River (Kolhapur District)
  Bhatsa Dam:Bhatsa River (Thane District)

 

• Chhattisgarh
  Hasdeo Bango Dam:Hasdeo River (Korba District)

 

• East India
• Odisha
  Hirakud Dam: Mahanadi River (Sambalpur District)
  Rengali Dam: Brahmani River (Angul District)
  Indravati Dam: Indravati River (Nabarangpur)
  Jalaput Dam: Machkund River (Odisha/Andhra Border)
  Mandira Dam: Sankh River (Sundergarh District)

 

• Jharkhand
  Maithon Dam: Barakar River (Dhanbad)
  Panchet Dam: Damodar River (Dhanbad)
  Tenughat Dam: Damodar River (Bokaro District)

 

• West Bengal
  Mukutmanipur Dam:Kansabati River (Bankura District)

 

• Bihar
  Kohira Dam: Kohira River (Kaimur District)
  Nagi Dam:  Nagi River (Jamui District)

 

 

Why These Locations Matter

 

• Hydro-Power: Dams like Tehri and Bhakra provide a significant portion of North India’s electricity.

• Biodiversity: Many of these lakes, such as Chilika and Vembanad, are Ramsar sites—wetlands of international importance that host thousands of migratory birds.

• Tourism: High-altitude lakes like Pangong Tso and Tsongmo are major bucket-list destinations for travelers.

 

Important Data Points

 

• Arch Dam: Idukki Dam (Kerala)  a prime example of a double curvature arch dam.

• Gravity Dam: Bhakra Dam is one of the highest gravity dams in the world.

• Earth Dam: Hirakud is a composite structure but is famous as one of the longest earth dams globally.

 

 

The Bucket List: 10 Most Scenic Dams & Lakes in India

While these structures are engineering marvels, many are also located in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. If you are planning a road trip or a photography expedition, these are the ones you cannot miss.

1. Pangong Tso, Ladakh

Changing colors from turquoise to deep blue, this high-altitude lake is world-famous. It is unique because it is a landlocked basin, meaning it doesn’t flow into any ocean.

2. Idukki Dam, Kerala

The only double curvature arch dam in Asia, Idukki is tucked between two massive granite hills, Kuravan and Kuravathi. The sheer scale of the concrete arch against the lush Western Ghats is breathtaking.

3. Tehri Dam, Uttarakhand

As the highest dam in India, Tehri offers more than just power. The emerald green waters of the massive Tehri Lake have become a hub for water sports like jet skiing and paragliding.

4. Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir

Known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir,” this is the heart of Srinagar. The iconic Shikaras (wooden boats) and floating gardens make it a photographer’s paradise.

5. Hirakud Dam, Odisha

Stretching across the Mahanadi River, this is one of the longest dams in the world. The “Gandhi Minar” at the site provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of water that looks like an inland sea.

6. Loktak Lake, Manipur

Famous for its Phumdis (heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter), it looks like a series of green circles floating on water. It is the only floating lake in the world.

7. Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat

Located near the Statue of Unity, this dam offers a grand view of the Narmada River. During the monsoon, the sight of water gushing through the gates is spectacular.

8. Tsongmo Lake (Changu), Sikkim

Situated at an altitude of 12,310 feet, this glacial lake remains frozen during winter. The reflection of the surrounding snow-capped mountains in the crystal-clear water is a sight to behold.

9. Tungabhadra Dam, Karnataka

Famous for its beautiful Japanese-style gardens and musical fountains, this dam is a popular picnic spot. At sunset, the reservoir glows in shades of orange and pink.

10. Vembanad Lake, Kerala

The longest lake in India and the heart of Kerala’s backwaters. Renting a houseboat here allows you to experience the slow, scenic life of the Kerala countryside.