The Bowatenna Dam is a 100 ft (30 m) high gravity dam at Bowatenna, in the (Pilihudugolla Village) Naula, Central Province of Sri Lanka. The dam was built in June 1981, and is used primarily for irrigation. A 40 MW power station is also constructed 5,800 ft (1,800 m) downstream, for hydroelectric power generation.[1][2]

Bowatenna Dam
Location of Bowatenna Dam in Sri Lanka
Country	Sri Lanka
Location	Bowatenna
Coordinates	07°40′00″N 80°40′00″E
Status	Operational
Opening date	June 1981 (1981-06)
Owner(s)	Mahaweli Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity dam
Height (foundation)	100 ft (30 m)
Length	741 ft (226 m)
Spillway capacity	125,000 cu ft/s (3,500 m3/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Bowetenna Reservoir
Active capacity	21,000 acre⋅ft (26,000,000 m3)
Normal elevation	800 ft (240 m)
Bowatenna Power Station
Coordinates	07°39′50″N 80°40′39″E
Operator(s)	CEB
Turbines	1 × 40 MW
Installed capacity	40 MW

Reservoir and spillways

The dam creates the iconic Bowatenna Reservoir, measuring approximately 11,800 ft (3,600 m) and 10,500 ft (3,200 m) at its widest and longest latitude and longitude, respectively. The reservoir has an active capacity of 21,000 acre⋅ft (26,000,000 m³) and a maximum surface elevation of 800 ft (240 m).[1]

The dam consists of six spillways, measuring a combined width of 222 ft (68 m), or 16 ft (5 m) each. The spillways combined has a maximum discharge capacity of 125,000 cu ft/s (3,500 m³/s).[1]

After the completion of the Moragahakanda Dam, a percentage of water from the Bowatenna Reservoir would also be transferred to the new Moragahakanda Reservoir, to be located approximately 3 mi (4.8 km) away, via tunnel.[3]

Power station

The power station, located 5,800 ft (1,800 m) downstream, consists of a single Fuji 40 MW unit. The power station was commissioned in June 1981.[2][4]

See also

• Electricity in Sri Lanka
• List of dams and reservoirs in Sri Lanka
• List of power stations in Sri Lanka

References