Koyna Dam

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, nestled in the Western Ghats on the state highway between Chiplun and Karad.

The main purpose of dam is to provide hydroelectricity with some irrigation in neighboring areas.Today the Koyna Hydroelectric Project is one of the largest hydroelectric project in India having a total installed capacity of .Due to its electricity generating potential it is considered as the 'life line of Maharashtra'

The catchment area dams the Koyna river and forms the Shivasagar Lake which is approximately 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 contributed to 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.

In 1973 non overflow portion of the dam was strengthened followed by strengthening of spillway section in 2006. Now the Dam expected to be safe against any future earthquake even of more intensity than that of 1967.

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• Koyna...... ...
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