The Bowatenna Dam is a 100 ft (30 m) high gravity dam at Bowatenna, in Central Province of Sri Lanka. The dam was built in June 1981, and is used primarily for irrigation. A 40 MW power station is also constructed 5,800 ft (1,800 m) downstream, for hydroelectric power generation.[1][2]

Bowatenna Dam
Bowatenna Dam is located in Sri Lanka
Bowatenna Dam
Location of Bowatenna Dam in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
LocationBowatenna
Coordinates07°40′00″N 80°40′00″E / 7.66667°N 80.66667°E / 7.66667; 80.66667
StatusOperational
Opening dateJune 1981 (1981-06)
Owner(s)Mahaweli Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
Height (foundation)100 ft (30 m)
Length741 ft (226 m)
Spillway capacity125,000 cu ft/s (3,500 m3/s)
Reservoir
CreatesBowetenna Reservoir
Active capacity21,000 acre⋅ft (26,000,000 m3)
Normal elevation800 ft (240 m)
Bowatenna Power Station
Coordinates07°39′50″N 80°40′39″E / 7.66389°N 80.67750°E / 7.66389; 80.67750
Operator(s)CEB
Turbines1 × 40 MW
Installed capacity40 MW

Reservoir and spillways

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The dam creates the iconic Bowatenna Reservoir, measuring approximately 11,800 ft (3,600 m) and 10,500 ft (3,200 m) at its widest and longest latitude and longitude, respectively. The reservoir has an active capacity of 21,000 acre⋅ft (26,000,000 m3) and a maximum surface elevation of 800 ft (240 m).[1]

The dam consists of six spillways, measuring a combined width of 222 ft (68 m), or 16 ft (5 m) each. The spillways combined has a maximum discharge capacity of 125,000 cu ft/s (3,500 m3/s).[1]

After the completion of the Moragahakanda Dam, a percentage of water from the Bowatenna Reservoir would also be transferred to the new Moragahakanda Reservoir, to be located approximately 3 mi (4.8 km) away, via tunnel.[3]

Power station

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The power station, located 5,800 ft (1,800 m) downstream, consists of a single Fuji 40 MW unit. The power station was commissioned in June 1981.[2][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bowatenna Dam and Reservoir". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "CEB Generation Network". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  3. ^ Ravi Ladduwahetty (28 January 2007). "Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga development projects". The Nation. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Hydroelectric Power Plants in Sri Lanka". Industcards.com. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2014.