Reaching a staggering height of 260 meters, the imposing Tehri Dam is one of the tallest dams in the world and the tallest dam in India. An engineering marvel in itself, Tehri Dam not only provides more than 1,000 MW of hydroelectricity but also is a popular tourist attraction in Uttarakhand.
The dam reservoir, also known as Tehri Lake, is usually flocked with tourists interested in boating and is slowly becoming a prominent hub for adventure tourism in Uttarakhand.
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The remarkable Tehri Dam or Tehri Dam Reservoir is the tallest dam in India and also one of the tallest in the world. The Tehri Dam is a multi-purpose rock and 260.5 metres (855 ft) earth-fill embankment dam build on the Bhagirathi River near Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand.
The Tehri Dam is a vital dam of the THDC India Ltd. The Tehri Hydroelectric Complex Phase 1 was completed in 2006. It withholds a reservoir for irrigation, municipal water supply and generates 1,000 megawatts, about (1,300,000 hp) of electricity along with an additional 1,000 MW of pumped storage hydroelectricity.
The length of the Tehri Dam is about 575 metres (1,886 ft), crest width 20 metres (66 ft) and base width 1,128 metres (3,701 ft). The dam creates a reservoir of 4.0 cubic km about 3,200,000 acre feet, having a surface area of 52 square kilometers. Pratapnagar village is the nearest settlement from this dam.
The plan to contract Tehri Dam was laid out in 1961 and construction began in 1978, but was postponed due to financial and social constraints. Construction of Tehri Dam was opposed by prominent environmental activists as it was considered to have a negative impact on the environment and the fragile ecosystem of Himalayas. With the financial and technical help from USSR and after overcoming several political and ecological hurdles, the dam was finally completed in 2006.
Being one of the tallest dams in the world, tourists and visitors flocked at New Tehri to witness the feat of engineering that is Tehri Dam. Bhagirathi River was rerouted to fill in the dam reservoir that became the emerald green Tehri Lake. Nestled amidst the verdant hills, Tehri Lake is an ideal weekend getaway destination from Delhi-NCR for tourists to enjoy with family and friends in the lap of nature and enjoy boating in the lake.
In order to encourage adventure tourism in Uttarakhand, the government has planned to bring adrenaline-rushing water sports along with aerial sports and other activities at Tehri Lake and turn it into an adventure sport hub. Houseboats and floating huts have been also introduced at Tehri Lake for accommodation purposes.
Paragliding involves a pilot steering a foot-launched fixed-wing aircraft which is made up of nylon cloth. The pilot is harnessed to the aerodynamically-shaped parachutes which glides and soars in the sky at the will of the pilot. The bird-like feeling is something one will always remembers and cherishes.
Jet Skiing is one of the water sports that is being offered to the tourists and visitors at Tehri Dam. Thrill seekers can speed through the waters of Tehri Lake at high speed with a jet ski. No wonder jet skiing is one of the most adventurously water sports at Tehri Lake.
Banana Boat Ride (also known as Hotdog Ride) is another highlight of Tehri Lake. The yellow-colored inflatable boats which are dragged across the water in a zigzag fashion by a speeding motorboat. The best part – the participants sitting atop the inflatable boat are made to go overboard and into the waters of Tehri Lake.
Tehri Dam is located in Old Tehri, Koti Colony ( On the road from New Tehri to Koti Colony).
By Air: Jolly Grant is the nearest airport located 91kms from New Tehri. Tourists can easily find cabs and taxis from Jolly Grant to New Tehri. Jolly Grant airport is well connected to Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai with daily flights.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to New Tehri town is situated in Rishikesh. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. New Tehri is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are easily available from Rishikesh to New Tehri.
By Road: New Tehri town is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand and northern states of India. Buses and taxis to New Tehri are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Devprayag, Srinagar, and Uttarkashi.
Tehri Dam is popular place for following activities/ interests - Dams and Reservoirs.
