Samanala Dam

Samanala Dam
සමනලවැව වේල්ල
Samanala Dam is located in Sri Lanka
Samanala Dam
Location of Samanala Dam
සමනලවැව වේල්ල in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
LocationBalangoda
Coordinates06°40′48″N 80°47′54″E / 6.68000°N 80.79833°E / 6.68000; 80.79833
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction began1986
Opening date1992
Construction cost¥74,313 million
Dam and spillways
Type of damEmbankment dam
ImpoundsWalawe River
Height (foundation)110 m (361 ft)
Length530 m (1,739 ft)
Spillway capacity3,600 m3/s (130,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
CreatesSamanala Reservoir
Total capacity218,000,000 m3 (7.7×109 cu ft)
Catchment area372 km2 (144 sq mi)
Coordinates06°35′03″N 80°48′29″E / 6.58417°N 80.80806°E / 6.58417; 80.80806
Operator(s)Ceylon Electricity Board
Turbines2 × 62 MW
Installed capacity124 MW
Annual generation405 GWh

The Samanala Dam (Sinhala: සමනලවැව වේල්ල) is a dam primarily used for hydroelectric power generation in Sri Lanka. Commissioned in 1992, the Samanalawewa Project (Samanala Reservoir Project) is the third-largest hydroelectric scheme in the country, producing 405 GWh of energy annually. It was built with financial support from Japan and the United Kingdom. It is notable for a large leak on its right bank. Power production continues as planned despite the leakage, and the water from the leak now provides two thirds of the water issued by the reservoir for agriculture in downstream areas.