The Maskeliya Dam (also known as the Maussakelle Dam) is a large
gravity dam
A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold back water by using only the weight of the material and its resistance against the foundation to oppose the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it. ...
at
Maskeliya
Maskeliya is a town in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the site of the 1974 crash of Martinair Flight 138, the worst air disaster in Sri Lanka.
It is known for its mountains, waterfalls, unique ethnic background and estates. The act ...
, in the
Central Province of
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
. Along with the
Castlereigh Dam
The Castlereigh Dam (also spelled Castlereagh) is a gravity dam built across the Kehelgamu Oya, a major tributary to the Kelani River, approximately south-west of Hatton, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Reservoir and power station
Th ...
, the dams are the highest point and beginning of the Laxapana Hydropower Complex, involving a number of
dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use ...
s,
penstock
A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydro turbines and sewerage systems. The term is inherited from the earlier technology of mill ponds and watermills.
H ...
s, and
hydroelectric power stations
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined an ...
. The dam creates the Maskeliya Reservoir over the route of
Maskeliya Oya, a major tributary of the
Kelani River
The Kelani River ( si, කැළණි ගඟ) is a river in Sri Lanka. Ranking as the fourth-longest river in the country, it stretches from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. It flows through or borders the Sri Lankan districts of Nuwara ...
, which is the
4th longest in the country.
Power station
A
penstock
A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydro turbines and sewerage systems. The term is inherited from the earlier technology of mill ponds and watermills.
H ...
from the Maskeliya Reservoir, measuring in diameter, transfers water directly to the
Canyon Hydroelectric Power Station, located further downstream. The power station consists of two units, commissioned in and , respectively. Water from the Canyon Power Station is discharged into the Canyon Reservoir, located at the same site.
Penstock
A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydro turbines and sewerage systems. The term is inherited from the earlier technology of mill ponds and watermills.
H ...
s channel water from the dam to the power station.
File:UG-LK Photowalk - 2018-03-24 - Canyon Power Station (2).jpg, Water pressure is converted to power at the Canyon Power Station.
See also
*
List of dams and reservoirs in Sri Lanka
The following page lists most dams in Sri Lanka. Most of these dams are governed by the Mahaweli Authority, while the Ceylon Electricity Board operates dams used for hydroelectric power generation. Hydroelectric dams, including small hydros accou ...
*
List of power stations in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's electricity demand is currently met by nine thermal power stations, fifteen large hydroelectric power stations, and fifteen wind farms, with a smaller share from small hydro facilities and other renewables such as solar. Most hydroe ...
References
{{Inland waters of Sri Lanka
1983 establishments in Sri Lanka
Buildings and structures in Nuwara Eliya District
Dams completed in 1983
Dams in Sri Lanka
Gravity dams
Hydroelectric power stations in Sri Lanka