The dams in Jharkhand mainly cater to the irrigation system of the state through a well managed system of canal irrigation in the local areas. The dams of Jharkhand are also utilized for power generation. The major dams of Jharkhand are the Maithon dam, the Panchet Dam and the Chandil Dam.
The Maithon Dam was constructed on River Barakar near Dhanbad in the state of Jharkhand. The Maithon Dam is the largest reservoir in the Damodar valley and is the first underground power station in the entire Southeast Asia. The dam measures 15, 712 feet in length and 165 meters in height.
Being the biggest reservoir in the Damodar Valley Corporation, the Maithon Dam is located 52 km from Dhanbad. Initially the objective to build this dam was flood control, but eventually it served the purpose of Hydel electric power generation as well as a tourist spot. The Maithon Power Station generates around 60,000 KWs of electricity. A lake is adjoined to the dam, which is spread over an area of 65 square kilometers. The lake offers recreational facilities like boating and fishing and on an island in the lake is a rest house which provides accommodation to several tourists.
An underground power station installed at the Maithon Dam is the first of its kind in South East Asia. The dam has thrived as a tourist destination for the past years, owing to the adjacent deer park, bird sanctuary and the Kalyaneshwari Temple. The nearest railhead of Maithon Dam is at Barakar, lying 8 kilometers away. Regular buses ply from Dhanbad, Barakar and Asansol, and it hardly takes an hour to reach this beautiful dam from these areas.
The Chandil Dam which stands on the Subarnarekha River is a wonderful tourist attraction. This dam is thronged by several tourists throughout the year. A museum located near the Chandil dam has 2000 years old scripts inscribed on rocks.
A part of Damodar Valley Corporation, Panchet Dam is known to be one of the most important hydel power stations, with a generating capacity of 40 MV power. The dam is 22,155 feet long and 134 feet high and is built across the Damodar River. The dam is located in the Dhanbad District of Jharkhand.
In the recent times the dam is becoming an important place of tourist attraction. An inspection bungalow, supervised by the Damodar Valley Corporation, caters to the accommodation needs. Kumardubi Railway Station lies almost 10 kilometers away and is the nearest railhead. Bus services are available from Barakar, Maithon, Asansol and Dhanbad (50 kilometers) to reach the Panchet Dam.
List of Dams:
Name of Dam: Khudia Dam
Nearest City: Dhanbad
District: DHANBAD
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Khudia River
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1970-71
Name of Dam: Kesho
Nearest City: Koderma
District: KODARMA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Kesho
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Name of Dam: Konar
Nearest City: Hazaribagh
District: HAZARIBAG
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Konar
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen + Gravity
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1955
Name of Dam: Larwa Dam
Nearest City: Simdega
District: SIMDEGA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Larwa Nala
Basin: Brahmani and Baitarni
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1974
Name of Dam: Latratu
Nearest City: Lohardagga
District: RANCHI
State: Jharkhand
River Name: North Karo
Basin: Brahmani and Baitarni
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1988
Name of Dam: Left Banki
Nearest City: Garwa
District: GARHWA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Left Banki
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1979
Name of Dam: Lorgara
Nearest City: Chaibasa
District: SARAIKELA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Kharkhai
Basin: Subarnarekha
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1985
Name of Dam: Lotia
Nearest City: Hazaribagh
District: HAZARIBAG
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Lotia Nala
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1981
Name of Dam: Maithon
Nearest City: Asansol
District: DHANBAD
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Barakar
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen + Gravity
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation, Hydroelectric,Water Storage,Multi-Purpose
Year of Completion: 1957
Name of Dam: Malay
Nearest City: Daltonganj
District: PALAMU
State: Jharkhand
River Name: North Koel
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1985
Name of Dam: Masaria
Nearest City: Gumla
District: GUMLA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Masaria
Basin: Brahmani and Baitarni
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1983
Name of Dam: Murahir
Nearest City: East Singhbhum
District: PURBI SINGHBHUM
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Lowjheria Nala
Basin: Subarnarekha
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1987
Name of Dam: Nakti
Nearest City: Chaibasa
District: PURBI SINGHBHUM
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Nakti
Basin: Subarnarekha
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Name of Dam: Nalkari
Nearest City: Ramgarh Cantt.
District: HAZARIBAG
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Nalkari
Basin: Subarnarekha
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Drinking / Water Supply
Year of Completion: 1968
Name of Dam: North Koel/ Kutku Dam
Nearest City: Palamu
District: GARHWA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: North Koel
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation,Hydroelectric
Name of Dam: Nandini
Nearest City: Lohardagga
District: LOHARDAGA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Nandini
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1987
Name of Dam: Palna
Nearest City: Jamshedpur
District: SARAIKELA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Ranka Jhuria
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1987
Name of Dam: Palna
Nearest City: Jamshedpur
District: SARAIKELA
State: Jharkhand
River Name: Ranka Jhuria
Basin: Ganga
Type of Dam: Earthen
Purpose of Dam: Irrigation
Year of Completion: 1987