Eduqo
Indian Geography›Ch 3: Drainage & Climate›Dams and River Projects
Master major Indian river valley projects and reservoirs for competitive exams.
Multi-purpose river valley projects like Bhakra Nangal and Hirakud control floods, generate hydroelectricity, and supply irrigation water. Memorizing their exact rivers, states, and key features is mandatory for scoring high in geography sections.
Memory Hooks
| Dam Name | River | State |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakra Nangal | Sutlej | Himachal / Punjab |
| Hirakud | Mahanadi | Odisha |
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi | Uttarakhand |
| Sardar Sarovar | Narmada | Gujarat |
Tehri Dam
(Highest Dam)
Highest Dam
Tehri is India's highest earth and rock-fill dam located on Bhagirathi river.
Hirakud
(Longest Dam)
Longest Dam
Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi in Odisha is one of the world's longest earthen dams.
DVC
(First Valley Project)
First Valley Project
Damodar Valley Corporation was established in 1948 as India's first multipurpose project.
Nagarjuna
(Krishna River)
Krishna River
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a massive masonry dam built across the Krishna river.
Bhakra Nangal is in Punjab onlyMainly Himachal/Punjab border
Bhakra dam is in Himachal Pradesh, while Nangal dam is in Punjab.
Tehri is on Alaknanda riverTehri is on Bhagirathi river
Always distinguish between Bhagirathi and Alaknanda where Tehri is built.
Hirakud is the highest damHirakud is the longest dam
Do not confuse length with height; Tehri is highest, Hirakud is longest.
Q1.Hirakud Dam is constructed across which of the following rivers?
Q2.Which is India's highest earth and rock-fill dam?