1. Introduction
Pakistan is an agrarian country with a growing need for water for irrigation, power generation, domestic use, and flood control. With the Indus River System as its backbone, Pakistan has constructed several dams and barrages to manage and utilize its water resources efficiently. Here is a detailed interactive map of Dams and Barrages in Pakistan.
Interactive Map of Dams and Barrages in Pakistan
2. Definitions
Dam:
A dam is a barrier constructed across a river or stream to store water for various purposes such as irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, water supply, and flood control.
Barrage:
A barrage is a type of low-head, diversion dam built across a river to divert water into irrigation canals rather than store it. It consists of gates that can be opened or closed to regulate water flow.
3. Types of Dams in Pakistan
- Storage Dams – Built to store water for year-round use. Example: Tarbela Dam
- Diversion Dams – Built to divert water into canals. Example: Warsak Dam
- Embankment Dams – Made from earth or rock-fill. Most common in Pakistan.
- Concrete Gravity Dams – Use concrete to resist the force of water. Example: Mangla Dam
4. Major Dams in Pakistan
A. Tarbela Dam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- River: Indus
- Completed: 1976
- Type: Earth-fill
- Height: 143 meters
- Storage Capacity: ~11.6 million acre-feet (MAF) originally
- Purpose: Hydropower (4,888 MW), irrigation, flood control
B. Mangla Dam (Azad Jammu & Kashmir)
- River: Jhelum
- Completed: 1967 (raised in 2009)
- Type: Earth-fill with concrete spillway
- Height: 147 meters (after raise)
- Storage Capacity: ~7.4 MAF (after raise)
- Purpose: Hydropower (1,150 MW), irrigation
C. Diamer-Bhasha Dam (Gilgit-Baltistan – under construction)
- River: Indus
- Foundation Laid: 2020
- Type: Roller-compacted concrete
- Height: 272 meters
- Planned Storage: 8.1 MAF
- Power Generation Capacity: 4,500 MW
- Purpose: Water storage, power generation, flood mitigation
D. Mohmand Dam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – under construction)
- River: Swat
- Expected Completion: 2026
- Height: 213 meters
- Storage: 1.2 MAF
- Power Capacity: 800 MW
- Purpose: Irrigation, power, flood control
E. Warsak Dam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- River: Kabul
- Completed: 1960s
- Power Generation: 243 MW
- Purpose: Irrigation, hydropower
F. Hub Dam (Sindh/Balochistan border)
- River: Hub
- Completed: 1981
- Purpose: Water supply for Karachi, flood control
5. Major Barrages in Pakistan
A. Sukkur Barrage (Sindh)
- River: Indus
- Completed: 1932
- Canals: 7 major canals including Nara Canal (largest irrigation canal in the world)
- Irrigation Area: ~7.63 million acres
B. Guddu Barrage (Sindh)
- Completed: 1962
- Purpose: Irrigation, flood control
- Canals: Begari, Desert, and Ghotki canals
- Irrigation Area: ~2.9 million acres
C. Kotri Barrage (Sindh)
- Completed: 1955
- Canals: Kalri Baghar Feeder, Fuleli, and Pinyari
- Purpose: Irrigation and flood management
D. Taunsa Barrage (Punjab)
- Completed: 1958
- Irrigation Area: ~2 million acres
- Also serves: As a fishery and wildlife habitat
E. Jinnah Barrage (Punjab)
- Completed: 1946
- Located near: Kalabagh
- Main canal: Thal Canal
F. Chashma Barrage (Punjab)
- Completed: 1971
- Also houses: Chashma Hydropower Plant (184 MW)
- Irrigation Area: ~2 million acres
6. Strategic Importance
A. Agriculture
- Irrigates over 80% of cultivated land through canal systems fed by dams and barrages.
B. Hydropower
- Supplies about 30% of Pakistan’s electricity from hydel sources.
- Reduces dependency on imported fossil fuels.
C. Water Security
- Stores water during monsoon for use in dry periods.
- Helps offset impact of climate change on water availability.
D. Flood Control
- Dams and barrages mitigate the destructive effects of floods in floodplains.
E. Socio-Economic Development
- Provides employment, tourism, fisheries, and livelihood opportunities.
7. Challenges
- Siltation – Reduces storage capacity of reservoirs (e.g., Tarbela lost ~30% capacity).
- Aging Infrastructure – Many barrages and dams require upgrades.
- Water Loss – Poor canal maintenance leads to seepage and wastage.
- Political Disputes – Interprovincial issues over water distribution.
- Environmental Impact – Ecosystem disruption and displacement of local communities.
8. Recent and Planned Projects
- Dasu Hydropower Project (Indus, KP): 4,320 MW (in phases)
- Kalabagh Dam: Proposed on Indus; politically controversial
- Kurram Tangi Dam: Under construction in North Waziristan
- Naulong Dam: Planned in Balochistan
9. Conclusion
Dams and barrages are critical to Pakistan’s water economy, energy generation, and agricultural stability. Despite challenges such as sedimentation, environmental degradation, and provincial tensions, continued investment in sustainable water infrastructure is essential to meet future demands.
Word Count: 846 words
