India’s rivers and dams are the backbone of its agriculture, water supply, and energy systems. These engineering wonders not only provide irrigation and electricity but also help in flood control and tourism. In this article, we explore a detailed list of Indian rivers and dams, focusing on the top 10 Indian Rivers and Dams that power India’s progress. Each dam represents a blend of nature, science, and purpose, sustaining millions across states.
List of Top 10 Indian Rivers and Dams with Key Features
| Rank | River | Dam Name | Key Features (Height, Capacity & Purpose) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhagirathi River | Tehri Dam | Tallest dam in India (260.5 m), 4 km³ storage |
| 2 | Sutlej River | Bhakra Nangal Dam | 226 m tall, 9.34 km³ capacity |
| 3 | Mahanadi River | Hirakud Dam | 25.8 km long, 5.9 km³ storage |
| 4 | Krishna River | Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | 124 m tall masonry dam, 312 TMC capacity |
| 5 | Narmada River | Sardar Sarovar Dam | 138.68 m tall, 9.5 km³ storage |
| 6 | Godavari River | Jayakwadi Dam | 41.3 m height, 2.9 km³ storage |
| 7 | Periyar River | Idukki Dam | 168.9 m tall, 1.996 km³ capacity |
| 8 | Kaveri River | Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam | 39.8 m tall, 49.45 TMC storage |
| 9 | Tapti River | Ukai Dam | 105 m tall, 7.41 km³ capacity |
| 10 | Bhima River | Ujjani Dam | 54.4 m tall, 3.14 km³ storage |
Tehri Dam on Bhagirathi River: Tallest Dam in India
The Tehri Dam, standing at 260.5 meters, is the tallest dam in India. Built across the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, it is a multi-purpose project supplying water to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. It generates around 1,000 MW of hydroelectric power and supports irrigation for nearly 2.7 lakh hectares.
Key Features of Tehri Dam
- River: Bhagirathi
- State: Uttarakhand
- Height: 260.5 m
- Storage Capacity: 4 cubic km
- Purpose: Power generation, irrigation, water supply
Interesting Facts
- It’s part of the larger Tehri Hydro Development Project.
- The dam’s reservoir is known as Tehri Lake, a major tourist spot.
- It can withstand major seismic activity zones.
Bhakra Nangal Dam on Sutlej River: The Lifeline of North India
The Bhakra Nangal Dam is one of the most iconic structures in India, built across the Sutlej River between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. It has a height of 226 meters and forms the Gobind Sagar Reservoir, which can store about 9.34 cubic kilometers of water. This dam supports irrigation in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the core of India’s Green Revolution, while also producing hydroelectric power for northern states.
Key Features of Bhakra Nangal Dam
- River: Sutlej
- States: Himachal Pradesh & Punjab
- Height: 226 m
- Reservoir: Gobind Sagar
- Purpose: Irrigation, Power, Flood control
Highlights
- Supplies irrigation to over 1 crore hectares of farmland.
- Generates over 1,200 MW of electricity.
- Prevents floods in northern plains during monsoon.
Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi River: India’s Longest Dam
The Hirakud Dam, built on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, is one of the world’s longest earthen dams. Stretching 25.8 kilometers, it holds a storage capacity of 5.9 cubic kilometers. It serves three key functions: flood control, irrigation, and power generation.
Technical Facts about Hirakud Dam
- River: Mahanadi
- State: Odisha
- Length: 25.8 km
- Height: 60.96 m
- Storage: 5.9 km³
Did You Know?
- Hirakud controls floods in the Mahanadi Delta region.
- Its power plant generates over 307.5 MW of electricity.
- It irrigates more than 7.5 lakh hectares of farmland.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on Krishna River: South India’s Engineering Marvel
The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, built on the Krishna River between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, stands 124 meters tall and has a capacity of 312 TMC. It is one of the largest masonry dams in Asia. It supplies water to thousands of villages and cities in South India and generates 815 MW of hydroelectric power.
Key Features of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- River: Krishna
- States: Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
- Height: 124 m
- Storage: 312 TMC
- Purpose: Power, Irrigation, Water Supply
Highlights
- Provides irrigation to 10 lakh hectares of land.
- Major drinking water source for Hyderabad region.
- A popular heritage site and tourist attraction.
Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada River: The Power of Western India
The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River is a multi-purpose dam located in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. It rises to 138.68 meters and stores about 9.5 cubic kilometers of water. The dam provides irrigation to 1.8 million hectares and drinking water to 40 million people. It also produces 1,450 MW of hydroelectric power.
Key Features of Sardar Sarovar Dam
- River: Narmada
- States: Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh
- Height: 138.68 m
- Power Capacity: 1,450 MW
- Storage: 9.5 km³
Highlights
- The project also supplies water to Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
- It transformed arid regions into fertile zones.
- One of India’s largest hydro projects.
Jayakwadi Dam on Godavari River: Maharashtra’s Water Guardian
The Jayakwadi Dam, built on the Godavari River in Maharashtra, is one of the largest earthen dams in India. It stands 41.3 meters tall and stores 2.9 cubic kilometers of water. It plays a vital role in supplying water to Aurangabad, Paithan, and surrounding drought-prone areas.
Key Specifications of Jayakwadi Dam
- River: Godavari
- State: Maharashtra
- Height: 41.3 m
- Storage: 2.9 km³
- Purpose: Irrigation, Drinking water
Highlights
- Its reservoir, Nath Sagar Lake, spans 217 sq km.
- Provides irrigation to 2.3 lakh hectares of farmland.
- Supports industries in Aurangabad district.
Idukki Dam on Periyar River: The Arch of Kerala
Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, the Idukki Dam is a double curvature arch dam built across the Periyar River. Standing 168.9 meters tall, it is one of the tallest arch dams in Asia. It powers Kerala’s biggest hydroelectric project with a generation capacity of 780 MW.
Key Features of Idukki Dam
- River: Periyar
- State: Kerala
- Height: 168.9 m
- Storage: 1.996 km³
- Purpose: Power generation
Quick Points
- Forms the scenic Idukki Reservoir.
- Provides power for nearly 50% of Kerala’s needs.
- A major tourist destination in South India.
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam on Kaveri River: Karnataka’s Classic
The KRS Dam, built on the Kaveri River, is one of the oldest and most vital water projects in South India. Standing 39.8 meters tall, it has a storage capacity of 49.45 TMC. It supplies water to Mandya, Mysuru, and Bengaluru for irrigation and drinking.
Key Features of KRS Dam
- River: Kaveri
- State: Karnataka
- Height: 39.8 m
- Storage: 49.45 TMC
- Purpose: Irrigation, Drinking water
Key Facts
- Built under Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s guidance.
- Powers the famous Brindavan Gardens.
- Supports agriculture and industry in central Karnataka.
Ukai Dam on Tapti River: Gujarat’s Second Largest Reservoir
The Ukai Dam, built on the Tapti River, serves Gujarat’s irrigation and power needs. It has a height of 105 meters and a storage capacity of 7.41 cubic kilometers. It controls floods in Surat region and supports power generation.
Key Features of Ukai Dam
- River: Tapti (Tapi)
- State: Gujarat
- Height: 105 m
- Storage: 7.41 km³
- Purpose: Power, Irrigation, Flood control
Highlights
- Covers 612 sq km reservoir area.
- Key for south Gujarat’s industrial belt.
- Generates over 300 MW electricity.
Ujjani Dam on Bhima River: Maharashtra’s Irrigation Giant
The Ujjani Dam on the Bhima River is another vital dam in Maharashtra. It stands 54.4 meters tall and stores 3.14 cubic kilometers of water. It supplies irrigation water, drinking water, and supports industrial needs in Solapur and nearby areas.
Key Features of Ujjani Dam
- River: Bhima
- State: Maharashtra
- Height: 54.4 m
- Storage: 3.14 km³
- Purpose: Irrigation, Drinking water
Key Facts
- Serves over 2 lakh hectares of land.
- Supports fishery and tourism.
- Reduces water scarcity in central Maharashtra.
Top 10 Rivers of India with Their States and Main Purposes
This table lists the rivers, states, and major purposes behind each dam
| River | State(s) | Purpose of the Dam |
|---|---|---|
| Bhagirathi River | Uttarakhand | Hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and water supply |
| Sutlej River | Himachal Pradesh & Punjab | Irrigation for agriculture, power production, and flood control |
| Mahanadi River | Odisha | Flood control, power generation, irrigation to delta regions |
| Krishna River | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | Large-scale irrigation, power generation, and drinking water supply |
| Narmada River | Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan | Multi-purpose: irrigation, power, drinking water, inter-state water supply |
| Godavari River | Maharashtra | Water supply to drought areas, agriculture support, and local industry |
| Periyar River | Kerala | Hydroelectric power generation and domestic water supply |
| Kaveri River | Karnataka | Irrigation, drinking water, and regional tourism |
| Tapti River | Gujarat | Irrigation, power production, and flood control |
| Bhima River | Maharashtra | Irrigation, industrial and municipal water supply |
Why do these Dams matter?
The list of Indian rivers and dams shows how India manages its water and power needs across varied terrains.
Here’s what makes them essential:
- They provide hydroelectric power to millions.
- They ensure food security through irrigation.
- They prevent floods and droughts.
- They create opportunities for tourism and the economy.
FAQs on the Top 10 Indian Rivers and Dams
Q1: Which is the tallest dam in India?
The Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is the tallest, standing 260.5 meters high.
Q2: Which is the longest dam in India?
The Hirakud Dam in Odisha is the longest at around 25.8 kilometers.
Q3: Which dam has the largest reservoir?
The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River has one of the largest reservoirs in India.
Q4: Which dam generates the most power?
Tehri Dam and Sardar Sarovar are both top producers of hydroelectric power.
Q5: Which dam is built across the Krishna River?
The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is constructed on the Krishna River.
Q6: Which dam supports Bengaluru’s water needs?
The Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam supplies drinking water to Bengaluru.
Q7: What is the main purpose of the Hirakud Dam?
It controls floods, generates power, and supports irrigation in Odisha.
Q8: Which dam is a popular tourist spot in Kerala?
The Idukki Dam and its reservoir area attract tourists year-round.
Q9: What makes the Jayakwadi Dam important?
It provides water to the drought-prone Marathwada region and major cities in Maharashtra.
Q10: Why are these 10 dams considered India’s most important?
They combine scale, multi-purpose functions, and impact, supporting millions of people through water, power, and food security.