Moragahakanda Dam

The Moragahakanda Dam (Sinhala: මොරගහකන්ද ව්‍යාපෘතිය), officially as Kulasinghe Reservoir,[1] is a large gravity dam, and the main component of the larger and more complex Moragahakanda — Kalu Ganga Project, across the Amban River at Elahera, in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. Construction began on 25 January 2007 and was completed in 2018.[2] The maiden waters of the dam was released in January 2017.[3] Morgahakanda/Kaluganga project is the last of the Great Mahaveli project[4]

Moragahakanda Dam
Spillways of the Moragahakanda Dam.
Location of Moragahakanda Dam in Sri Lanka
Official nameමොරගහකන්ද අමුණ
CountrySri Lanka
LocationElahera, North Central Province
Coordinates07°41′56″N 80°46′12″E
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction began25 January 2007 (2007-01-25)
Opening date8 January 2018 (2018-01-08)
Owner(s)Mahaweli Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsAmban River
Height (foundation)65 m (213 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesKulasinghe Reservoir
කුලසිංහ ජලාශය
Active capacity521,000,000 m3 (1.84×1010 cu ft)
Normal elevation185 m (607 ft)
Coordinates07°41′59″N 80°46′11″E
Operator(s)Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka-MASL
Installed capacity25 MW

The larger combined project involves the construction of the Moragahakanda Dam and Reservoir, along with the separate Kalu Ganga Dam and Reservoir, for irrigation and power generation purposes. Both these sites would be located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) apart.[5]

The total development cost for both sites totals to approximately Rs. 48.145 billion (approximately US$370 million) and is being carried out by SMEC Holdings and Sinohydro.[6][7][8]

A granite Buddha statue built opposite the Moragahakanda reservoir was unveiled on 23 July 2018.[9]

History

The original Moragahakanda reservoir was first constructed by King Wasaba in 111 AD.[10]

Mahaweli Development programme

According to the Mahaweli Master Plan of 1968, the development of Mahaweli was divided to three projects named A, B and C out of which the last 'C' project was the Moragahakanda Multi-Purpose Reservoir. In 1977 the project was modified and the Accelerated Mahaweli Scheme(AMS) started and was completed in 6 years. However Moragahakanda was not in the AMS. The J.R. Jayewardene Government would later secure funding for the project from Japan but communal violence delayed the project. The project finally commenced in January 2015 by President Maithripala_Sirisena and construction of the dam was completed in 2018.

Dam and reservoir

The Moragahakanda Dam, is a 65 m (213 ft) high gravity dam. The dam created the Moragahakanda Reservoir, which has an active storage capacity of 521,000,000 m3 (1.84×1010 cu ft) of water,[11] at a surface elevation of 185 m (607 ft).[12]

Two additional embankment saddle dams will also be built to contain the Moragahakanda Reservoir. The reservoir of the Kalu Ganga Dam will be linked via tunnel.[2][12]

Primary uses
Moragahakanda Reservoir in February 2017.

Irrigation

Water from both, the Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga reservoirs, will be primarily used to support agricultural needs to an area of at least 81,422 ha (814.2 km2). This will increase rice production by 81% or 109,000 t (240,000,000 lb), amounting to an estimated monetary benefit of US$1.67 million, annually.[11]

Inland fishing

The reservoirs would also create a source of inland fishing, generating approximately 4,700 t (10,400,000 lb) or the monetary equivalent of US$1.67 million, annually.[11]

Water supply

Along with the reservoir of the Kalu Ganga Dam, an increase of 64,000,000 m3 (2.3×109 cu ft) of potable and industrial water supply could be ensured by 2032, to regions including Matale, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, and Polonnaruwa.[11]

Power generation

Water from the Moragahakanda Reservoir is used to power the 25-megawatt Moragahakanda Hydroelectric Power Station. The substitution of this hydropower with traditional fossil fuel power generation is estimated to save up to US$ 2.49 billion annually.[11]

Construction of the power station costs US$382 million, with an EIRR (Economic Internal Rate of Return) of 22%.[12]

Roads and bridges

The construction of the dam and reservoir also required the construction of multiple access roads and rerouting of existing main roads, as well as the construction of the 300 m (984 ft) long Moragahakanda Bridge costing Rs. 308 million.[13]

Rename

On 23 July 2018, under the patronage of president Maithreepala Sirisena, the reservoir has been officially named as Kulasinghe Reservoir, in memory of late Dr. A.N.S Kulasinghe. Deshabandu Dr. A.N.S Kulasinghe was a Sri Lankan Civil Engineer who served in several projects throughout the country.[14]

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See also

References
  1. "President proposes to name Moragahakanda after Kulasinghe". Daily News. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  2. "Work on Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Project progressing satisfactorily". ITN News. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. "Happiest day - says the President as maiden waters of the Moragahakanda Reservoir flow - Sri Lanka News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst | Breaking News and Latest News provider | Political | Sports | International | Business. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  4. "New vistas in development".
  5. "Moragahakanda and Kaluganga Development Project" (PDF). Ministry of Finance and Planning. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  6. "SMEC Wins Major Project with World's Largest Hydroelectric Company". SMEC Holdings. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  7. "Moragahakanda project on schedule". LankaNewspapers.com. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  8. Shirajiv Sirimane (3 June 2013). "Moragahakanda multi purpose project construction on track". Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  9. "President to inaugurate filling of Kalu Ganga reservoir tomorrow". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  10. "Moragahakanda : Biggest yahapalana hybrid project". President's media division. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  11. Shirajiv Sirimane (18 November 2012). "Moragahakanda project will be completed ahead of schedule". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  12. Ravi Ladduwahetty (28 January 2007). "Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga development projects, the last phase of the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme". The Nation. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  13. "President inspects progress of Moragahakanda - Kalu Ganga project". Target.lk. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  14. "Morgahakanda Reservoir named "Kulasinghe Reservoir"". Newsfirst. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
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