Gal Oya Dam
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 and most iconic 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, completing four years later in 1953.[1]
| Gal Oya Dam | |
|---|---|
 Gal Oya dam in Senanayake Samudhraya | |
  Location of Gal Oya Dam in Sri Lanka | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Location | Gal Oya National Park |
| Coordinates | 07°12′37″N 81°32′10″E |
| Purpose | Irrigation, Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | August 24, 1949 |
| Opening date | 1953 |
| Owner(s) | MIWRM |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment dam |
| Impounds | Gal Oya |
| Height (thalweg) | 140 ft (43 m) |
| Length | 3,600 ft (1,100 m) |
| Dam volume | 2,000,000 cu yd (1,500,000 m3) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Senanayake Samudhraya |
| Total capacity | 770,000 acre⋅ft (950,000,000 m3) |
| Surface area | 35 sq mi (91 km2) |
| Inginiyagala Power Station | |
| Coordinates | 07°12′51″N 81°32′14″E |
| Operator(s) | Ceylon Electricity Board |
| Commission date | June 1963 |
| Type | Conventional |
| Installed capacity | 11 MW |
Dam and reservoir
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 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
- "Senanayake Samudhraya". Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- Liyana Arachchi (19 August 2013). "Strength of Senanayake Samudraya dam". Daily News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- "CEB Generation Network". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
External links
- Shiran Ranasinghe (31 March 2009). "Fire damages Inginiyagala Power Plant". The Island. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- Sandasen Marasinghe (15 September 2010). "Inginiyagala Power Plant: Power generation to be upped by seven MWs". Daily News. Retrieved 14 February 2014.