Dams in Maharashtra - List Of Top 10 Dams With Features Here!

Dams in Maharashtra: The State of Maharashtra has numerous dams. The Dams in Maharashtra play an important role in managing water resources, facilitating irrigation, generating hydroelectric power, and curbing floods.From the majestic Koyna Dam to the historic Jayakwadi Dam of Maharashtra, each dam narrates a tale of determination, innovation, and contribution to the state's growth. In this article, we will have a look at the list of the Top 10 Dams in Maharashtra, their capacity, their environmental and social impacts and various other details, which will be helpful for the upcoming MPSC Exam.

Candidates can check out the MPSC Prelims and Mains Syllabus on the linked article.

Total Dams in Maharashtra

‘How many dams are there in Maharashtra?’ is a common question asked in the MPSC Exams. As per the National Register of Large (Specified) Dams 2023, the State of Maharashtra has 2333 completed and functional large dams. As of 2022, there were 1821 constructed dams in Maharashtra, and over 1000 dams were under construction. 

Some important dams in Maharashtra include Koyna Dam, Jayakwadi Dam, and Radhanagri Dam. These dams in Maharashtra have a significant role in the state's development.

Number of Dams in Maharashtra: Existing & Under Construction (As of 2022)
Type	Constructed	Under Construction
Large/Big	17	65
Medium	173	126
Small	1631	813
Total	1821	1004

Check RTI Response on Number of Dams in Maharashtra (2023) PDF

Learn about the different Irrigation Projects of Maharashtra here

In terms of capacity and size, there are many large dams in Maharashtra. State exams have questions on features of these dams. This makes it an important topic. The top 10 biggest dams in Maharashtra, based on their capacity, size, and importance, are:

1. Jayakwadi Dam: With a storage capacity of 2,171 million cubic meters, Jayakwadi Dam is the largest dam in Maharashtra (in terms of capacity).It is located on the Godavari River in Aurangabad district. The reservoir formed by Jayakwadi Dam is the Nath Sagar Resevoir. This is one of the largest reservoirs in Maharashtra and caters to the agricultural activities in the region.
2. Koyna Dam: Koyna Dam is the second largest dam in Maharashtra, with a storage capacity of 2,000 million cubic meters. It is located in Satara district and is a major source of hydroelectric power.Shivaji Sagar Lake is the reservoir created by the Koyna Dam.
3. Wilson Dam: Also known as Bhandardara Dam, Wilson Dam is located in Ahmednagar district and has a storage capacity of 563 million cubic meters.
4. Radhanagari Dam: Radhanagari Dam is located on the Bhogawati River in Kolhapur district and has a storage capacity of 278 million cubic meters. The Radhnagri Reservoir formed by this dam is surrounded by the Radhanagri Wildlife Sanctury, which is a tourist attraction.
5. Mula Dam: Mula Dam is located on the Mula River in Pune district and has a storage capacity of 208 million cubic meters.
6. Dhom Dam: Dhom Dam is located on the Krishna River in Satara district and has a storage capacity of 87 million cubic meters.
7. Bhatsa Dam: Bhatsa Dam is located on the Bhatsa River in Thane district and has a storage capacity of 61 million cubic meters.
8. Girna Dam: Girna Dam is located on the Girna River in Nashik district and has a storage capacity of 47 million cubic meters.
9. Vaitarna Dam: Vaitarna Dam is located on the Vaitarna River in Palghar district and has a storage capacity of 27 million cubic meters.
10. Pavana Dam: Pavana Dam is located on the Pavana River in Pune district and has a storage capacity of 14 million cubic meters.

Download the MPSC Geography Notes here.

First Dam in Maharashtra: Radhanagari Dam | महाराष्ट्रातील पहिले धरण: राधानगरी धरण

Radhangri Dam is the first dam in Maharashtra. It was constructed in 1907. Situated along the Bhogawati River, near Kolhapur, the dam is an important resource for irrigation and hydro-power generation. It also caters to the water needs of nearby villages. It also draws a significant tourists to its serene surroundings. The dam site also boasts cultural significance, being surrounded by the region's rich historical and traditional elements..

Biggest Dam in Maharashtra: Koyna Dam | महाराष्ट्रातील सर्वात मोठे धरण: कोयना धरण

Koyna Dam is the biggest dam in Maharashtra. The Koyna Dam, one of Maharashtra's most notable engineering marvels, it was built on the Koyna River in the Satara district. Construction of the dam began in 1955 and was completed in 1962. It stretches approximately 807 meters (2,648 feet) in length and stands at a height of around 103 meters (338 feet).

Koyna Dam has a 1920 MW hydropower project. The dam also has India’s largest electric power plant and is often called the ‘life line of Maharashtra’. This dam has withstood many severe earthquakes with only a few cracks here and there.

Second Largest Dam in Maharashtra: Mulshi Dam | महाराष्ट्रातील दुसरे मोठे धरण: मुळशी धरण

The second-largest dam in the Maharashtra state is the Mulshi Dam. It was constructed in 1927 and is located 45 km away from Pune city and is constructed against the backwater of Mula River. The height of this Mulshi Dam is 50.6 meters and the length is 1011 meters The Mulshi Dam supplies water to Pune city and its surrounding areas.

In recent years Mulshi Dam and adjoining areas have been developed as a tourist destination, adding accommodation for leisure guests. As it is near Pune city, it is an amazing weekend getaway from Pune. This Dam is a favourite spot for visitors and here get opportunities to go on Bird watching, trekking and campaigning.

Environmental Impacts of Dams in Maharashtra | महाराष्ट्रातील धरणांचे पर्यावरणीय परिणाम

Today, the current water level in Maharashtra dams is around 40,779,220 million litres. The following are the environmental impacts of Dams in Maharashtra:

• The construction of dams often involves the displacement of wildlife and people living in the area.
• One of the major impacts of dams in Maharashtra is the destruction of wildlife habitat. 
• It alters the flow of natural rivers, which leads to the erosion of banks and damage habitats. 
• The construction of dams in Maharashtra affects water quality and leads to biodiversity loss. They have a long-term impact on the environment and ecosystem. 
• Construction of Dams in Maharashtra also causes seismic activity.
• It can cause seismic activity in the area. It can lead to landslides and other natural disasters.

Also, learn about the Types of Irrigation Systems in Maharashtra here. 

Conclusion | निष्कर्ष

The dams in Maharashtra have contributed significantly to the state’s economy and agriculture. However, the environmental impacts of the dams in Maharashtra raise some concerns, such as reservoir-induced seismicity, dam planning, monitoring, and management. These need to be addressed regularly to ensure sustainability.

We hope that this article on "Dams in Maharashtra" was useful and informative for your MPSC exam preparation. Testbook offers quality products like live tests, mocks, and much more. Download the Testbook App now!