Khadakwasla Dam
Why in News?
Khadakwasla Dam is in news because heavy rainfall in its catchment has filled the reservoir to almost/full capacity, forcing large-scale water discharge into the Mutha/Mula–Mutha river to protect the dam and prevent major flooding in Pune city.
Profile of Khadakwasla Dam
The primary historical, structural, and geographic details of the Khadakwasla Dam include:
- Location: Situated on the Mutha River, approximately 21 km from the city center of Pune in Maharashtra, India.
- Alternate Names: Locally referred to as the Chaskaman Dam or Peacock Dam due to the structural shape and frequent peacock sightings nearby.
- Historical Origin: Construction began in 1869 under Captain Fife RE of the British Army to serve as a relief measure against chronic droughts.
- Lake Fife: The massive man-made reservoir formed behind the concrete structure is officially named Khadakwasla Lake (historically Lake Fife).
- Dimensions: Built utilizing premium stone masonry and concrete, featuring a total length of 1.6 km and a height of 31.8 meters.
- Sluice Mechanisms: Constructed with 11 radial-type sluice gates alongside 6 distinct irrigation outlets that feed into downstream canals.
- The Dam Chain: It forms the lower-most point of a vital 4-dam reservoir system supplying Pune, which also includes the Panshet, Varasgaon, and Temghar dams.
- Hydroelectric Power: Houses two dedicated downstream power stations producing 12 MW and 10 MW of renewable electricity respectively.
- 1961 Collapse: Infamously remembered for the tragic disaster on 12 July 1961, when the upstream Panshet Dam breached, sending a structural flood wave that completely burst the older Khadakwasla wall.
- Strategic Neighbors: Positioned immediately adjacent to India's premier military institutions, including the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS).
