Victoria Dam (Sri Lanka)

Victoria Dam (Sri Lanka)

The Victoria Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in Sri Lanka. Power is generated by three 70 MW francis turbines, totalling the installed capacity to 210 MW, thus playing a significant role on the national grid.^[1] At a length of 520 m (1,706 ft), and a height of 122 m (400 ft), it is also the tallest dam in the country, while possessing the largest power station as well.^[1] The dam is located across the Mahaweli River immediately upstream of the Victoria Falls rapids.

History

The construction of the dam was ceremonially inaugurated on the 14th of August 1978, by the former President Jayewardene. It commenced operations on the 12th of April 1985, and is still operating today. The main contractors were Balfour Beatty, responsible for the dam construction, and the Costan International, responsible for the construction of the power station. The dam is currently managed by the Mahaweli Project, headed by the Ceylon Electricity Board along with the Ministry of Power and Energy.^[1]

Specifications

This arch dam consists of eight radial gates, each with a width and height of 12.5 m (41 ft), which automatically opens when water levels are high. The dam's gates, which needs power only to close, won an award for Innovative Design in Civil Engineering by the Institution of Civil Engineers. The total effective width of the spill-gates is 100 m (328 ft), which allows a maximum discharge capacity of 8,200 m³/s (289,580 cu ft/s). Two low-level sluices are constructed at the reservoir bed across the dam to pass silts which may accumulate behind the dam.^[1]
The dam is located in the deep valley on the Mahaweli River, just above the Victoria Falls rapids. The reservoir catchment area tops to 1,869 km² (722 sq mi). The reservoir feeds three turbines of 70 MW each, rotating at 333rpm at optimal capacity.^[1]

Victoria Dam
The dam and reservoir
Locale	Teldeniya,  Sri Lanka
Coordinates	07°14′29″N 80°47′05″E / 7.24139°N 80.78472°E / 7.24139; 80.78472Coordinates: 07°14′29″N 80°47′05″E / 7.24139°N 80.78472°E / 7.24139; 80.78472
Construction began	14 August 1978
Opening date	12 April 1985
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Arch dam
Length	520 m (1,706 ft)
Height	122 m (400 ft)
Base width	25 m (82 ft)
Impounds	Mahaweli River
Spillway capacity	8,200 m3/s (289,580 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Victoria Reservoir
Capacity	722,000,000 m3 (2.55×1010 cu ft)
Catchment area	1,869 km2 (722 sq mi)
Surface area	23 km2 (9 sq mi)
Power station
Type	No
Turbines	3 × 70 MW
Installed capacity	210 MW
Annual generation	780 GWh