Khanpur Dam

Khanpur Dam is a dam located on the Haro River near Potowar Plateau, about 50 km from Islamabad, in Khanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[1] It forms Khanpur Lake, a reservoir which supplies drinking water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi and irrigation water to many of the agricultural and industrial areas surrounding the cities.

Khanpur Dam
Official nameKhanpur Dam
CountryKhanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Coordinates33.807°N 72.936°E / 33.807; 72.936
StatusOperational
Opening date1984
Construction cost1.385 billion Pakistani rupees
(Equivalent to ₨19.9 billion in 2018)
Dam and spillways
Height51 m (167 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesKhanpur Lake
Total capacity79,980 acre⋅ft (98,650,000 m3)

The dam was completed in 1983 after a 15-year construction period at a cost of ₨1,385.1 million.[2] It is 51 m (167 ft) high and stores 79,980 acre feet (98,650,000 m3) of water.[3][4]

Blue-green water and tourism

The Blue-green water of dam attracts hundreds of tourists from all over the Pakistan. Every week, between 40,000 to 50,000 tourists visit Khanpur Dam. Tourists enjoy various ground- and water-based activities, such as:

Archaeological sites

There are several excavated Buddhist archaeological sites nearby that also attract local and foreign tourists.

Bhamala Buddhist Complex

Sculptures and heads dating back to second to fifth century AD have been discovered during excavation at Bhamala Buddhist Complex near Khanpur known as Bhamala Stupa. During excavation, precious coins of Kushan period were also found around the stupa. Bhamala archaeological site had been declared national and world heritage site located near Khanpur dam. The ruins dated back to fourth century BC. The stupa is cross-shaped and looks like an Aztec Pyramid.

Rajgan Mosque

The deserted Rajgan Mosque, locally known as the "Rajon ki Masjid", is believed to be over 100 years old. It is now only used for Eid prayers, as people use the newly-constructed mosques in the nearby areas for everyday prayers. It has a large prayer hall and a time-worn brick courtyard in need of restoration and rehabilitation.

WAPDA Rest House

PESCO Rest House at Khanpur Dam has been established at a very unique location. The rest house provides congenial living environment and quality services to the visitors during their official tours as well as their recreational trips.

See also

References
  1. "Khanpur Dam". www.wapda.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  2. "How many Dams in Pakistan? Here is a list of Dams in Pakistan". General Knowledge Urdu. 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  3. "List of Dams in Pakistan". Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. Archived from the original on 2006-06-20. Retrieved 2006-10-30.
  4. "How many Dams in Pakistan? Here is a list of Dams in Pakistan". General Knowledge Urdu. 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2020-03-04.

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