Moragahakanda Dam
| Moragahakanda Dam | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 07°42′17″N 80°46′59″E / 7.70472°N 80.78306°ECoordinates: 07°42′17″N 80°46′59″E / 7.70472°N 80.78306°E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Under construction |
| Construction began | 25 January 2007 |
| Opening date | 22 July 2016 |
| Owner(s) | Mahaweli Authority |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Amban River |
| Height (foundation) | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Moragahakanda Reservoir |
| Active capacity | 521,000,000 m3 (1.84×1010 cu ft) |
| Normal elevation | 185 m (607 ft) |
| Power station | |
| Operator(s) | CEB |
| Installed capacity | 25 MW |
The Moragahakanda Dam is a large gravity dam, and the main component of the larger and more complex Moragahakanda — Kalu Ganga Project, currently under construction across the Amban River at Elahera, in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. Construction of the project was launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 25 January 2007.[1]
The larger combined project involves the construction of the Moragahakanda Dam and Reservoir, along with the separate Kalu Ganga Dam and Reservoir, for irrigation and power generation purposes. Both these sites would be located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) apart.[2]
The total development cost for both sites totals to approximately Rs. 48.145 billion (approximately US$370 million) and is being carried out by SMEC Holdings and Sinohydro.[3][4][5]
Dam and reservoir
The Moragahakanda Dam, will be a 65 m (213 ft) high gravity dam. The dam will create the Moragahakanda Reservoir, which will have an active storage capacity of 521,000,000 m3 (1.84×1010 cu ft) of water,[6] at a surface elevation of 185 m (607 ft).[7]
Two additional embankment saddle dams will also be build to contain the Moragahakanda Reservoir. The reservoir of the Kalu Ganga Dam will be linked via tunnel.[1][7]
Primary uses
Irrigation
Water from both, the Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga reservoirs, will be primarily used to support agricultural needs to an area of at least 81,422 ha (814.2 km2). This will increase rice production by 81% or 109,000 t (240,000,000 lb), amounting to an estimated monetary benefit of US$1.67 million, annually.[6]
Inland fishing
The reservoirs would also create a source of inland fishing, generating approximately 4,700 t (10,400,000 lb) or the monetary equivalent of US$1.67 million, annually.[6]
Water supply
Along with the reservoir of the Kalu Ganga Dam, an increase of 64,000,000 m3 (2.3×109 cu ft) of potable and industrial water supply could be ensured by 2032, to regions including Matale, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, and Polonnaruwa.[6]
Power generation
Water from the Moragahakanda Reservoir will be used to power the 25-megawatt Moragahakanda Hydroelectric Power Station, also currently under construction. The substitution of this hydropower with traditional fossil fuel power generation is estimated to save up to US$ 2.49 billion annually.[6]
Construction of the power station costs US$382 million, with an IRR of 22%.[7]
Roads and bridges
The construction of the dam and reservoir also required the construction of multiple access roads and rerouting of existing main roads, as well as the construction of the 300 m (984 ft) long Moragahakanda Bridge costing Rs. 308 million.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Work on Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Project progressing satisfactorily". ITN News. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ "Moragahakanda and Kaluganga Development Project" (PDF). Ministry of Finance and Planning. p. 2. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ "SMEC Wins Major Project with World’s Largest Hydroelectric Company". SMEC Holdings. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ "Moragahakanda project on schedule". LankaNewspapers.com. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ Shirajiv Sirimane (3 June 2013). "Moragahakanda multi purpose project construction on track". Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Shirajiv Sirimane (18 November 2012). "Moragahakanda project will be completed ahead of schedule". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ravi Ladduwahetty (28 January 2007). "Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga development projects, the last phase of the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme". The Nation. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ↑ "President inspects progress of Moragahakanda - Kalu Ganga project". Target.lk. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
External links
- Uditha Jayasinghe (9 June 2012). "Chinese firm gets $ 382 million Moragahaka". Daily FT. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- "Background Information: Moragahakande & Kalu Ganga Sectors". Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- "Chinese man dies after eating poisonous yams in rural Sri Lanka". Global Times. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
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