Gal Oya Dam
Gal Oya dam in Senanayake Samudhraya
Gal Oya Dam is located in Sri Lanka
Gal Oya Dam
Location of Gal Oya Dam in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
LocationGal Oya National Park
Coordinates07°12′37″N 81°32′10″E / 7.21028°N 81.53611°E / 7.21028; 81.53611
PurposeIrrigation, Power
StatusOperational
Construction beganAugust 24, 1949 (1949-08-24)
Opening date1953
Owner(s)MIWRM
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsGal Oya
Height (thalweg)140 ft (43 m)
Length3,600 ft (1,100 m)
Dam volume2,000,000 cu yd (1,500,000 m3)
Reservoir
CreatesSenanayake Samudhraya
Total capacity770,000 acre⋅ft (950,000,000 m3)
Surface area35 sq mi (91 km2)
Inginiyagala Power Station
Coordinates07°12′51″N 81°32′14″E / 7.21417°N 81.53722°E / 7.21417; 81.53722
Operator(s)Ceylon Electricity Board
Commission dateJune 1963 (1963-06)
TypeConventional
Installed capacity11 MW

The Gal Oya Dam (also known as Inginiyagala Dam) is an embankment dam in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. The dam creates one of the largest reservoirs in the country, the Gal Oya Reservoir. Water from the reservoir is used primarily for irrigation in the Uva and Eastern provinces, in addition to powering a small hydroelectric power station. Construction of the dam and reservoir began in August 24, 1949 (1949-08-24), completing four years later in 1953 (1953).[1]

Dam and reservoir

Main article: Senanayake Samudraya

The dam is constructed between two hills at the small town of Inginiyagala, measuring 3,600 ft (1,100 m) and 140 ft (43 m) in length and height respectively, consisting of 2,000,000 cu yd (1,500,000 m3) of soil. The dam, built by Morrison-Knudsen company, creates the Gal Oya Reservoir.[1]

The reservoir, also known as the Inginiyagala Reservoir, and more commonly as the Senanayake Samudraya (after D.S. Senanayake), has a total storage capacity of 770,000 acre⋅ft (950,000,000 m3) and a surface area of 35 sq mi (91 km2).[1][2]

Power station

In addition to downstream irrigation, water from the reservoir is used to power the Inginiyagala Power Station, a hydroelectric power station located immediately downstream of the dam. The power station consists of four units of (2.475MWx2 & 3.15MWx2)11.25 MW, commissioned in 1952 unit 1,2 & 1962 unit 3,4.[1][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Senanayake Samudhraya". Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  2. ^ Liyana Arachchi (19 August 2013). "Strength of Senanayake Samudraya dam". Daily News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. ^ "CEB Generation Network". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.

External links

Electricity in Sri Lanka
Inland waters of Sri Lanka
Categories