Bhandardara

Bhandardara

Bhandardara dam (Wilson Dam) is constructed across Pravara river at Bhandaradara village, Taluka Akole, District Ahmednagar in between 1910 to 1926.
History:
Prior to construction of Bhandardara dam, pick-up weirs for irrigation purpose were constructed across Pravara river @ Lakh, Taluka- Shrirampur, District- Ahmednagar in 1869 & @ Ozar, Tal. Sangamner in 1893 There is a Left Bank Canal to Lakh Pick-up weir & Pravara Left Bank & Pravara Right Bank canal to Ozar weir.
Lack of perennial flow in the river resulted in to shortage of water for irrigation. Hence, it became necessary to construct a dam across Pravara river. Originally, an earthen dam across Pravara river @ Mhaladevi, Taluka- Akole was sanctioned in 1882. This proposal was dropped due to technical problem. In 1889, it was proposed to construct a masonry dam at Samrad, Taluka- Akole. This scheme was also left due to less storage capacity. In 1985, at the time of famine construction of dam @ Mhaladevi was taken again. There was technical problem in footing & hence the scheme was finally dropped in 1902. Afterwards, two alternatives i.e. construction of masonry weirs at Randha & Iswarde were studied. It was finally proposed to construct a masonry dam at Iswarde. The name of the nearby village Bhandardara was given to the dam constructed at Iswarde.
Project:
The construction of a dam at Bhandaradara envisages height 250-ft. & costing Rs. 70.86 Lakhs was proposed in 1907. This dam was highest dam over that time in India.
The catchment area of this dam is 122 Sq. km. (47 Sq.miles). This dam consists of an ungated spillway of 198 m. (650 ft.). The automatic radial gates adjacent to the ungated spillway, controls the dam storage of 313 Mcum.(11039 Mcft). There are outlets to the dam at 50 ft., 100 ft, 150 ft. 200 ft. in height from river bed.
The dam was strengthened after the earthquake that took place at Koyna, District- Satara in 1967. The water is released in river from outlets of the dam & supplied for irrigation & non-irrigation (Drinking & Industrial purpose) purpose through Pravara Left Bank & Pravara Right bank Canal offtaking from Ozar weir situated 85 kms. downstream from Bhandardara dam. The length of the Pravara Left Bank Canal is 77 km. irrigating 14577 ha. area & the length of Pravara Right Bank Canal is 45 km. irrigating 8500 ha. area totaling to 23077 ha.
Hydro electricity is generated since June 2001, from Bhandaradara Hydroelectric Project Phase I (12 MWatt) & Bhandaradara Hydro-electric Project Phase II (34 MWatt), from the water released from dam. The electricity generated since August 2001 from Bhandaradara Hydroelectric Project Phase I is appended.