Hirakud Dam
Hirakud Dam
Hirakud Dam
Hirakud Dam
Official name
Hirakud Dam
Location
Coordinates
83.87ECoordinates:
2134N
8352E21.57N 83.87E
Construction
began
Opening date
Construction
cost
1948
1957
101 Crore Rs in 1957
Dam and spillways
Type of dam
Height
Length
Impounds
Mahanadi
Spillways
64 sluice-gates
Spillway
capacity
(1,499,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Capacity
Catchment area
Turbines
2 x 24 MW Kaplan-type
Power House II (Chiplima): 3 x 24
MW[1]
Installed
capacity
307.5 MW[1]
Hirakud Dam (Oriya: ) is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 km from
Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. Built in 1957, the dam is one of the world's longest
earthen dam.[2] Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55 km long. Hirakud Dam is
the longest man-made dam in the world, about 16 mi (26 km) in length. It is one of the first
major multipurpose river valley project started after India's independence. The name of the dam
is mostly mis-pronounced in North India as Hirakund which is actually Hirakud.
Contents
[hide]
1 Construction history
2 Technical details
3 Structure
o 3.1 Power houses
4 Purpose
5 People affected by the dam construction
6 Cattle Island
7 Wildlife
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
Dyke
Sasan Canal
[edit] Structure
The Hirakud Dam is a composite structure of earth, concrete and masonry. 10 km (6 mi) north of
Sambalpur, it is the longest major earthen dam in Asia, measuring 25.8 km (16 mi) including
dykes, and stands across the river Mahanadi. The main dam has an overall length of 4.8 km (3
mi)[3] spanning between two hills; the Lamdungri on the left and the Chandili Dunguri on the
right. The dam is flanked by 21 km (13 mi) of earthen dykes on both the left and right sides,
closing the low saddles beyond the adjoining hills. The dam and dykes together measure 25.8 km
(16 mi).[3] It also forms the biggest artificial lake in Asia,[dubious discuss] with a reservoir holding
743 km2 (287 sq mi) at full capacity, with a shoreline of over 639 km (397 mi). There are two
observation towers on the dam one at each side. One is "Gandhi Minar" and the other one is
"Nehru Minar". Both the observation towers present breathtaking views of the lake.
[edit] Purpose
In the original estimate, an amount of Rs 12 crores was provided for payment of compensation to
the affected people. After revision, the amount was reduced to Rs 9.5 crores and the total
compensation paid to the people was, in reality, only Rs 3.32 crores. A large number of families
were evacuated from their hearth and homes without compensation from 1956 onwards.[6]
[edit] Wildlife
The dam with the channel provides an ideal environment for the wildlife. The Debrigarh wildlife
sanctuary is located here.[8] Several species of migratory birds visit the reservoir during winter.
Nearly 20-25 species of birds are seen in the reservoir and common among them are Common
Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and several others.[9]
Sambalpur
The Leaning Temple of Huma
[edit] References
v
t
e
Hydrography of Orissa
[show]
v
t
e
Mahanadi-Brahmani-Baitarani basin
[show]
v
t
e
Western Orissa
[show]
v
t
e
State of Orissa
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Categories:
Sambalpur
Hydroelectric power stations in Orissa
Dams in Orissa
Mahanadi River
Geography of Orissa
Economy of Orissa
Sambalpur district
Tourism in Kosala
Visitor attractions in Sambalpur
Geography of Sambalpur
Hidden categories:
Articles containing Oriya language text
All accuracy disputes
Articles with disputed statements from March 2011
Use dmy dates from October 2010
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