Bowatenna Dam
The Bowatenna Dam is a 100 ft (30 m) high gravity dam at Bowatenna, in the (Pilihudugolla Village) Naula, 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 | |
|---|---|
  Location of Bowatenna Dam in Sri Lanka | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Location | Bowatenna |
| Coordinates | 07°40′00″N 80°40′00″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | June 1981 |
| Owner(s) | Mahaweli Authority |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Height (foundation) | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Length | 741 ft (226 m) |
| Spillway capacity | 125,000 cu ft/s (3,500 m3/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Bowetenna Reservoir |
| Active capacity | 21,000 acre⋅ft (26,000,000 m3) |
| Normal elevation | 800 ft (240 m) |
| Bowatenna Power Station | |
| Coordinates | 07°39′50″N 80°40′39″E |
| Operator(s) | CEB |
| Turbines | 1 × 40 MW |
| Installed capacity | 40 MW |
Reservoir and spillways
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
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
References
- "Bowatenna Dam and Reservoir". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- "CEB Generation Network". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- Ravi Ladduwahetty (28 January 2007). "Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga development projects". The Nation. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- "Hydroelectric Power Plants in Sri Lanka". Industcards.com. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2014.