Koyna Dam- FAQs – Q.1 Who constructed the Koyna dam? Ans.1 The Koyna Dam was constructed by the Government of Maharashtra in 1956.Q.2 When was the Koyna dam broken? Ans.2 The Koyna dam was broken on 10th December 1967 by a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake.Q.3 Why is the Koyna dam important? Ans.3 Koyna Dam is important due to its electricity generating potential through the Koyna Hydroelectric Project.
- It is also called the “Life Line of Maharashtra” Q.4 Where is the Koyna River situated? Ans.4 The Koyna River is situated in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
- It flows from the North to the South direction.Q.5 What is the history of the Koyna dam? Ans.5 The Tata group constructed a hydroelectric facility on the Koyna river after World War I(1914-18).
The work on the Koyna dam was initiated in 1951 and the first turbine started working in 1962. It is India’s second-largest completed hydropower plant.Q.6 In which state Koyna dam is situated? Ans.6 Koyna dam is situated in the state of Maharashtra.Q.7 Which river flows in the Koyna dam? Ans.7 Koyna river flows through the Koyna dam.
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What is the history of Koyna Dam?
Details – The main purpose of the dam is hydroelectricity with some irrigation in neighboring areas. Today the Koyna Hydroelectric Project is the largest completed hydroelectric power plant in India having a total installed capacity of 1,960 MW, Due to its electricity generating potential, Koyna river is considered as the ‘life line of Maharashtra’.
- The spillway of the dam is located at the center.
- It has 6 radial gates,
- The dam plays a vital role of flood controlling in monsoon season.
- The catchment area dams the Koyna river and forms the Shivasagar Lake which is approximately 50 km (31 mi) in length.
- It is one of the largest civil engineering projects commissioned after Indian independence.
The Koyna hydro-electric project is run by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board, The dam has withstood many earthquakes in the recent past, including the devastating 1967 Koynanagar earthquake, resulting in the dam developing some cracks. After the disaster grouting of the cracks was done.
- Also internal holes were drilled to relieve the hydrostatic pressures in the body of the dam.
- Indian scientific establishment has formulated an ambitious project to drill a deep borehole in the region and intensely study the earthquake activity.
- This would help in better understanding and possible forecast of earthquakes.
The proposal is to drill up to 7 km and study the physical, geological and chemical processes and properties of the reservoir triggered earthquake zone in real time. It would be an international project to be led by Indian scientists. In 1973 the non-overflow portion of the dam was strengthened, followed by strengthening the spillway section in 2006.
What is the Koyna Hydroelectric Project?
The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is the largest hydroelectric power plant in India, just after Tehri Dam Project. It is a complex project with four dams including the largest dam on the Koyna River, Maharashtra hence the name Koyna Hydroelectric Project.
- The project site is in Satara district,
- The Koyana Dam situated near Koyananagar village.
- On river Koyana.
- The total capacity of the project is 1,960 MW,
- The project consists of four stages of power generation.
- All the generators are located in underground powerhouses excavated deep inside the mountains of the Western Ghats,
A dam foot powerhouse also contributes to the electricity generation. Due to the project’s electricity generating potential the Koyna River is considered as the life line of Maharashtra. The project takes advantage of the height of Western Ghats. Thus a very large hydraulic head is available over a very short distance.
Which is the largest dam in Maharashtra?
| Koyna Dam कोयना धरण | |
|---|---|
| Konya Dam as it releases water during the 2021 Maharashtra floods, | |
| Location of Koyna Dam in Maharashtra | |
| Official name | Koyna Dam D05104 |
| Location | Koyna Nagar, Maharashtra India |
| Coordinates | 17°24′06″N 73°45′08″E / 17.40167°N 73.75222°E Coordinates : 17°24′06″N 73°45′08″E / 17.40167°N 73.75222°E |
| Construction began | 1956 |
| Opening date | 1964 |
| Owner(s) | Government of Maharashtra |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Rubble-concrete dam |
| Impounds | Koyna River |
| Height | 103.2 m (339 ft) |
| Length | 807.2 m (2,648 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Shivasagar Lake |
| Total capacity | 2,797,400,000 m 3 (2,267,900 acre⋅ft) OR 98.77 tmc ft |
| Surface area | 891.78 km 2 (344 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Turbines | Koyna dam foot powerhouse: 2 x 20 MW stage 1: 4 x 70 MW stage 2: 4 x 75 MW stage 3: 4 x 80 MW stage 4: 4 x 250 MW Total = 18 Francis turbines |
| Installed capacity | 1,960 MW |
| Official website |
The Koyna Dam is one of the largest dams in Maharashtra, India, It is a rubble-concrete dam constructed on Koyna River which rises in Mahabaleshwar, a hillstation in Sahyadri ranges. It is located in Koyna Nagar, Satara district, in the Western Ghats on the state highway between Chiplun and Karad,
Which Prime Minister visited Koyna Dam in 1960?
Nehru Memorial park – When the project work was nearing completion, on 10 April 1960, the then Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru visited the Koyna Project. To commemorate this event a tableau was unveiled at his gracious hands on the right flank hillock of Koyna Dam.
