Dams are built not only for the purpose of storing and supplying water but also for flood control, the generation of hydropower electricity, and other benefits as well. Pakistan is a country that relies heavily on agriculture which means we require water in huge quantities for irrigation. Pakistan has around 150 dams and the majority of them are built on gushing rivers or streams. This is why these dams also serve as a picnic point where locals come to have fun and enjoy water activities.
The majority of dams are located in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) since that is the point where the Indus River and its tributaries flow all the way from the mountains to the south to fall into the Arabian Sea. Let’s discuss in detail some of the most famous dams in Pakistan that are a source of electricity and water supply as well as vacation spots for the locals.
1. HUB DAM:
Hub Dam is a reservoir that is situated on the border of Sindh and Balochistan. The dam serves as one of the primary sources of drinking water for the city of Karachi. Hub was built over a time period of 20 years, from 1963 to 1981. The dam is surrounded by a wildlife region where you will find some of the most exotic birds like cranes, pelicans, and others. Hub Dam is a famous tourist spot for the people of Karachi. The dam also has a rest house owned by WAPDA, as well as offers various activities like camping, swimming, and fishing.
2. TARBELA DAM:
Tarbela Dam has the honor of being the largest earth-filled dam in the world. It is situated in the Haripur and Swabi districts in KPK. The dam was initially built to control the flow of the River Indus. While the project began in the early 1960s, construction of the dam progressed in three stages, being completed in 1976. Tarbela Dam still undergoes extensions and refurbishment as required as it is the primary source of hydropower electricity in Pakistan. The dam is located just 2 hours of drive away from Islamabad, which makes it a perfect picnic destination for the locals. The water activities here include boating and fishing among a few others.
3. MANGLA DAM:
Mangla Dam holds the position of being the second-largest water reservoir in Pakistan. It is located in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Construction of the dam began in 1961 and ended in 1967. Mangla dam is one of the primary sources of irrigation in the country. Initially, the dam was built for water storage but later on, it was modified to generate hydroelectricity. Magla Dam resulted in a water reservoir named Mangla Lake which is a popular tourist spot. It is a 2-hour drive from Islamabad and a 4-hour drive from Lahore. The lake offers watersport activities like jet skiing, fishing, rafting, and boating up to Ramkot Fort, which is a historic site located on the hill.
4. SATPARA DAM:
Satpara Dam is located just below Satpara Lake in the heavenly Skardu Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan. The dam supplies millions of gallons of water to Skardu daily. The size of Satpara Lake has also increased due to the Dam and the dam also generates 17.4 megawatts of hydropower electricity. The construction of the dam started in 2003 and it was completed in 2013. Satpara Lake is known as one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Pakistan and is a common tourist spot, especially during the summers.
5. KHANPUR DAM:
Khanpur Dam is located on the Potohar Plateau in KPK. The dam was initially constructed in 1983 to curb the flow of the Haro River. The reservoir that has formed as a result of the dam is known as Khanpur Lake. Khanpur Dam serves as a water supply for the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The blueish-green water of the dam attracts a huge number of tourists. Watersport activities like swimming, boating, jet skiing, cliff jumping, and kayaking are also available here. Khanpur Lake also hosts a spring festival every year and the area also offers hiking, zip lining, and camping. There are also numerous archaeological sites near Khanpur Lake such as the Bhamala Buddhist Complex, which has a Buddhist stupa and artifacts dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries. A mosque that dates back to 145+ years named Rajgan Mosque is also here. The mosque is reflective of an architectural style of a bygone era. WAPDA has also built a rest house near Khanpur Dam for overnight stays.
These are some of the most famous dams in Pakistan. Each boosts a beautiful, scenic view, and is home to various historic sites. These are also some of the most significant dams in Pakistan due to their size, water supply, and the huge amount of hydroelectricity that they produce daily. Extension plans to increase the hydroelectricity supply of most of these dams are also underway.
