The country of Pakistan plays host to some of the most magnificent and ancient man-made structures on earth, dating back thousands of years before the birth of Christ. The country’s most magnificent works are its many dams, which provide water to drink and irrigate fields, enabling farmers to grow crops and feed the people of Pakistan.
Additionally, dams in Pakistan serve an important national security function, as they help prevent floods, droughts, and other disasters that would otherwise devastate this developing nation. In this article, we are going to discuss the dams in Pakistan, and their importance as well as talk about dams in Pakistan under construction.
List of All Dams in Pakistan
Dams in Pakistan are an important part of Pakistan’s infrastructure. They provide water for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control. There are many dams in Pakistan, but some of the most important ones are the Tarbela Dam, the Mangla Dam, and the Rawal Dam.
These dams in Pakistan provide vital services to the people of Pakistan and help to keep the country running smoothly. The livelihoods of countless people depend on them. Pakistan needs to invest more money into the maintenance and upkeep of these dams in Pakistan so that they can continue providing essential services for years to come.
List of All Dams in Pakistan Province-wise
Dams in Pakistan in Azad Kashmir
| River | Dam/Reservoir | Location | Height | Length | Storage capacity | Year of completion |
| Jhelum River | Mangla Dam | Mirpur District | 147 m (482 ft) | 138 metres (453 ft) | 7,251,811,000 m3 (5,879,139 acre⋅ft) | 1967 |
| Neelum River | Neelum–Jhelum | Muzaffarabad District | 60 m (197 ft) | 8,000,000 m3 (6,486 acre⋅ft) | 2018 |
Dams in Pakistan in Baluchistan
| Name | Location/ nearest city |
Impounds | Height | Storage capacity | Year of completion |
| Akra Kaur Dam | Gwadar | Akra Kaur River | 21 metres (69 ft) | 21,000,000 m3 (17,025 acre⋅ft) | 1995 |
| Amach Dam | Mastung | Amach River | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 1,675,000 m3 (1,358 acre⋅ft) | 1987 |
| Band-e-Chaman Dam | Turbat | Band-e-Chaman River | 15 metres (49 ft) | 2,467,000 m3 (2,000 acre⋅ft) | 1994 |
| Gur Dam | Kalat | n/a | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 498,000 m3 (404 acre⋅ft) | |
| Hingi Dam | Quetta | Hingi | 15 metres (49 ft) | 201,000 m3 (163 acre⋅ft) | 1995–96 |
| Hub Dam | Malir | Hub River | 48 metres (157 ft) | 1,057,000,000 m3 (856,924 acre⋅ft) | 1979 |
| Khad Koocha Dam | Mastung | Kad Koocha River | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 117,000 m3 (95 acre⋅ft) | 1984 |
| Khajeer Dam | Qila Saifullah | Khajeer River | 15 metres (49 ft) | 308,000 m3 (250 acre⋅ft) | 1991 |
| Kullan Dam | Kharan | ||||
| Mana Storage Dam | Ziarat | Mana River | 19.8 metres (65 ft) | 1,825,000 m3 (1,480 acre⋅ft) | 1961 |
| Mangi Dam | Ziarat | Boin Viala River | 18 metres (59 ft) | 130,000 m3 (105 acre⋅ft) | 1982 |
| Mirani Dam | Makran | Dasht River | 39 metres (128 ft) | 373,000,000 m3 (302,396 acre⋅ft) | 2006 |
| Naulong Dam | Jhal Magsi | Mula River | 56.7 metres (186 ft) | 2015 | |
| Neelag Dasht Dam | District Kech | Dasht River | 2019 | ||
| Nishpa Dam | Mastung | Nishpa River | 15 metres (49 ft) | 115,000 m3 (93 acre⋅ft) | 1994 |
| Pinakai Dam | Qila Saifullah | Pinakai River | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 48,000 m3 (39 acre⋅ft) | 1994 |
| Sabakzai Dam | Zhob | Zhob River | 34.75 metres (114.0 ft) | 32,700 acre⋅ft (40,334,856 m3) | 2007 |
| Sasnak Mana Storage Dam | Ziarat | Sasnak River | 19 metres (62 ft) | 271,000 m3 (220 acre⋅ft) | 1993 |
| Sassi Punnu Dam | Makran | ||||
| Shadak Dam | Pishin | Shadak River | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 86,000 m3 (70 acre⋅ft) | 1983 |
| Shadi Kaur Storage Dam | Pasni | 25 metres (82 ft) | 37,000 acre⋅ft (45,638,828 m3) | ||
| Shagai Dam | Quetta | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 381,000 m3 (309 acre⋅ft) | 1993 | |
| Shiker Dam | Pishin | Shiker River | 19 metres (62 ft) | 61,000 m3 (49 acre⋅ft) | 1988 |
| Spinkarez Dam | Quetta | Nar River and Murdar River | 29 metres (95 ft) | 6,800,000 m3 (5,513 acre⋅ft) | 1945 |
| Tabai Dam | Quetta | Tabai River | 15 metres (49 ft) | 175,000 m3 (142 acre⋅ft) | 1994 |
| Tangi Dam | Qila Saifullah | Tangi River | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 75,000 m3 (61 acre⋅ft) | 1997 |
| Thamarak Dam | Pishin | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 241,000 m3 (195 acre⋅ft) | 1986 | |
| Tooth Dam | Kalat | Tooth River | 16 metres (52 ft) | 490,000 m3 (397 acre⋅ft) | 1991 |
| Under Base Dam | Qila Saifullah | Under Base River | 15.2 metres (50 ft) | 86,000 m3 (70 acre⋅ft) | 1985 |
| Walitangi Dam | Quetta | Walitangi River | 24 metres (79 ft) | 510,000 m3 (413 acre⋅ft) | 1961 |
Dams in Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan
| Name | Location/ nearest city |
Impounds | Height | Storage capacity | Year of completion | Electrical capacity |
| Katzarah Dam | Skardu | Shyok, Shigar, and Indus | 35000000 acre feet | 15000 MW | ||
| Satpara Dam | Skardu | Satpara | 39 metres (128 ft) | 2013 | ||
| Bunji Dam | Bunji | Indus | 190 metres (620 ft) | 1900 m3/s | TBD |
Dams in Pakistan in Islamabad Capital Territory
| Name | Location/ nearest city |
Impounds | Height | Storage capacity | Year of completion |
| Rawal Dam | Islamabad Capital Territory | Korang River | 40.7 m (133.5 ft) | 58,600,000 m3 (47,508 acre⋅ft) | 1962 |
| Simly Dam | Islamabad Capital Territory | Soan River | 89.7 m | 35,463,000 m3 (28,750 acre⋅ft) | 1983 |
Dams in Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
| Name Baran Dam | Location/ nearest city Bannu kpk |
Impounds | Height | Storage capacity | Year of completion |
| Allai Khwar[13] | Battagram | Allai Khwar River | 51 metres (167 ft) | 2012[14] | |
| Auxiliary Kandar Dam | Kohat | Dargai Algad River | 23 metres (75 ft) | 2004 | |
| Aza Khel Dam | Peshawar | N/A | 23 metres (75 ft) | 2004 | |
| Baran Dam | Bannu | Baran River | 24 metres (79 ft) | 1962 | |
| Chaatri Dam | Haripur | Nain Sukh River | 26 metres (85 ft) | 1971 | |
| Chanda Fateh Khan Dam | Kohat | N/A | 25 metres (82 ft) | 2004 | |
| Changhoz Dam | Karak | Changhoz River | 43 metres (141 ft) | 2007 | |
| Dandy Dam | Miranshah | 25 m (82 ft) | 5,945,000 m3 (4,820 acre⋅ft) | 2011[10] | |
| Dargai Pal Dam | Wana | 30 m (98 ft) | 5,896,000 m3 (4,780 acre⋅ft) | 2008[11] | |
| Darwazai Dam | Kohat | Sodal Algada River | 15 metres (49 ft) | 1976 | |
| Duber Khwar | Pattan, Kohistan | Khan Khwar River | 97.57 metres (320.1 ft) | 2013[14] | |
| Gandially Dam | Kohat | Taru Algada River | 22 metres (72 ft) | 2002 | |
| Gomal Zam Dam | Wana | 133 m (436 ft) | 1,400,000,000 m3 (1,134,998 acre⋅ft) | 2012[12] | |
| Jalozai Barani Dam | Nowshehra Pabbi | N/A | 74 metres (243 ft) | 1,277 m3 (1 acre⋅ft) | 2015 |
| Kahal Dam | Hazara | Kahal River | 22 metres (72 ft) | 1971 | |
| Kandar Dam | Kohat | Dargai Algada River | 27 metres (89 ft) | 1970 | |
| Khal Dam | Haripur | Khal Kass River | 23 metres (75 ft) | 1972 | |
| Khan Khwar | Besham, Shangla | Khan Khwar River | 46 metres (151 ft) | 2012[14] | |
| Khanpur Dam | Haripur | Haro River | 51 metres (167 ft) | 1985 | |
| Mang Dam | Haripur | Haro River | 16 metres (52 ft) | 1970 | |
| Naryab Dam | Hangu | Naryab River | 32 metres (105 ft) | 2006 | |
| Sarki Lawaghar Dam | Karak | Tem River | 40 metres (130 ft) | 2006 | |
| Tanda Dam | Kohat | Kohat River | 35 metres (115 ft) | 1967 | |
| Tarbela (Auxiliary-1 Dam) | Ghazi | Indus River | 105 metres (344 ft) | 1974 | |
| Tarbela (Auxiliary-2 Dam) | Ghazi | Indus River | 67 metres (220 ft) | 1974 | |
| Tarbela Dam | Haripur | Indus River | 143.26 metres (470.0 ft) | 13,690,000,000 m3 (11,098,664 acre⋅ft) | 1974 |
| Warsak Dam | Peshawar | Kabul River | 67 metres (220 ft) | 76,492,000 m3 (62,013 acre⋅ft) | 1960 |
| Zaibi Dam | Karak | Zaibi Algad River | 25 metres (82 ft) | 1997 |
Dams in Pakistan in Punjab
| Name | Location/ nearest city |
Storage capacity | Year of completion |
| Ghazi Barotha Dam | Attock, Punjab | 22,500,000 m3 (18,241 acre⋅ft) | 2003 |
| Gurab Dam | |||
| Haji Shah Dam | Attock, Punjab | 1,800,000 m3 (1,459 acre⋅ft) | 2013-14 |
| Jabbi Dam | Attock, Punjab | ||
| Jamal Dam | |||
| Jammargal Dam | |||
| Jawa Dam | Dhalla, Rawalpindi District | 1,938,000 m3 (1,571 acre⋅ft) | 1994 |
| Jurash Dam | |||
| Kahuta Dam | |||
| Kanjoor Dam | Attock, Punjab | ||
| Khasala Dam
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| Lehri Dam | |||
| Mailsi Dam | |||
| Mirwal Dam | |||
| Misriot Dam | |||
| Namal Dam | Mianwali District | ||
| Karot Dam | Punjab | ||
| Nirali Dam | |||
| Qibla Bandi Dam | |||
| Rati Kassi Dam | Attock, Punjab | ||
| Salial Dam | |||
| Shahpur Dam | Attock, Punjab | ||
| Shakardara Dam | Attock, Punjab | ||
| Tain Pura Dam | |||
| Dhok Sandy Mar Dam | |||
| Dhok Tahlian Dam | Chakwal | ||
| Dungi Dam | |||
| Bhugtal Dam | |||
| Channi Bor Dam | Attock, Punjab | ||
| Chbla Bano Dam | |||
| Chichali Dam |
Dams in Pakistan in Sindh
| Name | Location/ nearest city |
Impounds | Height | Storage capacity | Year of completion |
| Darawat Dam | Jamshoro District | Nari Baran River | 43 metres (141 ft) | 150,000,000 m3 (121,607 acre⋅ft) | 2014 |
| Chotiari Dam | Sanghar District | Nara Canal (Indus River) | 26.3 metres (86 ft) | 750,000 m3 (608 acre⋅ft) | 2002 |
| Nai Gaj Dam | Kirthar Mountains | Nai Gaj river | 59.1 metres (194 ft) | 30,000,000 m3 (24,321 acre⋅ft) | 2019 |
Benefits of Dams in Pakistan
Dams in Pakistan are important for several reasons. They provide irrigation water for crops, drinking water for humans and animals, hydroelectric power, and flood control. In addition, dams in Pakistan can be used for recreation, such as boating and fishing.
However, the construction of large in Pakistan causes some negative impacts. For example, the reservoir created by the dam inundates land which displaces people from their homes and affects wildlife habitats.
Here are some of the most important benefits of dams in Pakistan.
Flood Control
Dams play an important role in flood control by acting as a barrier to prevent water from flowing downstream. In Pakistan, which is prone to floods, dams in Pakistan can help save lives and property. For example, the Akhori Dam in Attock was built on the Indus River after devastating floods occurred in India.
The dam helps regulate water flow during flooding season and provides hydroelectric power. When there are no floods, the dam generates power at its full capacity while storing it for later use when needed most.
By regulating the level of water in rivers and lakes, dams in Pakistan also provide fishing grounds. The construction of reservoirs on some rivers has been criticized because it alters aquatic habitats. However, some experts point out that this is not necessarily true for all areas because different types of rivers have different ecological balances.
Water Supply
Dams are a vital part of Pakistan’s water supply system. They provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industry. Dams in Pakistan also generate hydroelectric power, which is a major source of electricity in Pakistan. For these reasons, dams are critical to the economic development of the country.
Another important function of dams is that they control floods by regulating the flow of water downstream. For example, the Tarbela Dam prevents floods from damaging Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Indus River feeds into this dam, protecting those two cities.
The Tarbela Dam is currently experiencing some problems due to sedimentation and silt build-up in the reservoir. As more rivers dry up because of climate change, more people will be using the Tarbela Dam as their main source of water.
Electricity Generation
Dams are an important source of electricity generation in Pakistan. The Tarbela Dam alone generates approximately 3,478 megawatts of electricity – that’s enough to power over two million homes! Not only does this help meet the ever-growing demand for energy in the country, but it also provides a much-needed boost to the economy.
Experts predict that the contribution from hydropower to Pakistan’s GDP is set to grow by 2% annually until 2030. In addition, as dams offer flood control and drought protection, they also help reduce costs incurred by other sectors of society such as agriculture and health care.
Navigation System
Dams in Pakistan are an important part of Pakistan’s infrastructure. They provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industry. They also generate hydroelectric power and help to regulate the flow of rivers. The Indus River is a major river that is largely regulated by dams.
The Tarbela Dam is a large dam on the Indus River near Islamabad that provides much of the country’s electricity. There are plans to build more dams to take advantage of its abundant water resources, but some people worry about how these dams will affect communities downstream.
Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
Pakistan is an agriculture-based country and dams play a vital role in irrigation and agriculture. The construction of dams in Pakistan also helps in the development of livestock. In Pakistan, dams are constructed for the storage of water for irrigation and domestic and industrial use.
The main objective of these constructions is to control floods by holding back floodwaters during the monsoon season and releasing them gradually during the dry season. There are two kinds of dams: a run-of-the-river dam where only river water is impounded, and other type is Storage dam which stores both rainwater as well as river water.
Dams In Pakistan Under Construction
Pakistan is a country with many rivers and dams play an important role in controlling the flow of water. There are many benefits to having dams, including providing irrigation for crops, generating hydroelectric power, and reducing the risk of floods.
There are currently several dams under construction in Pakistan which will provide even more benefits to the country once they are completed. The most notable project is the Diamer-Bhasha Dam on the Indus River. Pakistan’s then Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in 1998.
List Of Under Construction Dams In Pakistan
| Dam | Province | Construction Began |
| Kurram Tangi Dam | KPK | 2016 |
| Dasu Dam | KPK | 2020 |
| Mohmand Dam | KPK | 2019 |
| Kalam Dam | KPK | – |
| Othla Dam | KPK | – |
| Jabba Dam | KPK | – |
| Jalozai Dam | KPK | – |
| Dadocha Dam | Punjab | – |
| Nai Gaj Dam | Sindh | – |
| Darawat Dam | Sindh | – |
| Naulong Dam | Balochistan | – |
| Basha Dam | Gilgit-Baltistan | 2019 |
Dams Started By The PTI Government
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has started work on several dams across the country. The move is part of the PTI’s plan to increase the country’s water storage capacity. Many projects were announced by Imran Khan during his inaugural speech as Prime Minister, with some having been allocated funding through Chinese loans.
For the sake of future generations as well as averting climate change, the PTI government focused on building new dams in Pakistan. Numerous hydropower projects are being implemented, including Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dams.
In the last two years, the PTI government has completed 27 mega-dams after assuming power. The Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has completed / laid off 27 dams with a storage capacity of 68,939 acre feet in various districts of Balochistan, an official source told APP.
Conclusion
Pakistan is a country that is highly dependent on agriculture. Agriculture is the main source of income for the majority of the population. To ensure a good yield, irrigation is essential. And for irrigation, water is necessary. This is where dams come in. Dams in Pakistan are used as water reservoirs and can store water from floods or rainfalls until it is needed for farming purposes.
There are many benefits of building dams; they have led to an increase in agricultural productivity and an increase in employment opportunities. Not only do they offer environmental advantages, but they also have socio-economic advantages such as providing clean drinking water and electricity (an important factor since much of the population lives without access to these services).
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