Maskeliya Oya

Maskeliya Oya

Downstream view of the Maskeliya Oya, as seen from near the Polpitiya Hydroelectric Power Station.
Origin Peak Wilderness Sanctuary
Mouth Merges with Kehelgamu Oya, forming the
Kelani River
Length 40 km (25 mi)
River system Kelani

The Maskeliya Oya (translated into Maskeliya River from Sinhala) is a major upstream tributary of the Kelani River. The tributary measures approximately 40 km (25 mi) in length, originating from the hills of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, before passing through the Maskeliya Reservoir. Maskeliya Oya converges with the Kehelgamu Oya at Kalugala, forming the 100 km (62 mi) long Kelani River. The river is heavily used for hydroelectric power generation.[1][2]

Features on the river

The following table lists the major features along the Maskeliya Oya, from its origins further upstream. Some dams hold back water, and transfer a percentage of it to hydroelectric power stations located further downstream, via tunnels.

Type Subject Location
Waterfall Fairlawn Falls 06°46′20″N 80°37′20″E / 6.77222°N 80.62222°E
Reservoir Maskeliya Reservoir 06°49′47″N 80°33′40″E / 6.82972°N 80.56111°E
Dam Maskeliya Dam 06°50′37″N 80°32′56″E / 6.84361°N 80.54889°E
Power station Canyon Hydroelectric Power Station 06°52′09″N 80°31′40″E / 6.86917°N 80.52778°E
Dam Canyon Dam 06°52′18″N 80°31′34″E / 6.87167°N 80.52611°E
Waterfall Laxapana Falls 06°53′57″N 80°30′03″E / 6.89917°N 80.50083°E
Power station New Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Station 06°55′05″N 80°29′31″E / 6.91806°N 80.49194°E
Power station Old Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Station 06°55′07″N 80°29′30″E / 6.91861°N 80.49167°E
Dam Laxapana Dam 06°55′08″N 80°29′22″E / 6.91889°N 80.48944°E
Power station Polpitiya Hydroelectric Power Station 06°58′40″N 80°27′24″E / 6.97778°N 80.45667°E
Dam Broadlands Dam 06°58′43″N 80°27′16″E / 6.97861°N 80.45444°E
Confluence Kelani River 06°58′58″N 80°27′00″E / 6.98278°N 80.45000°E

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Issues of Kelani River Basin" (PDF). EDM.lk. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "CEB Hydropower Generation". Ceylon Electricity Board. Retrieved 18 January 2014.

Coordinates: 06°58′15″N 80°27′36″E / 6.97083°N 80.46000°E