Polgolla Barrage

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Polgolla Barrage
Polgolla Dam with all spillways open
Polgolla Barrage is located in Sri Lanka
Polgolla Barrage
Location of Polgolla Barrage in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
LocationPolgolla, Central Province
Coordinates07°19′18″N 80°38′42″E / 7.32167°N 80.64500°E / 7.32167; 80.64500
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening dateJuly 1976 (1976-07)
Owner(s)Mahaweli Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of damBarrage
ImpoundsMahaweli River
Height (foundation)14.6 m (48 ft)
Length144 m (472 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesPolgolla Reservoir
Total capacity4,100,000 m3 (140,000,000 cu ft)
Active capacity2,100,000 m3 (74,000,000 cu ft)
Maximum length1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Maximum width170 m (560 ft)
Ukuwela Power Station
Coordinates07°23′56″N 80°39′08″E / 7.39889°N 80.65222°E / 7.39889; 80.65222
Operator(s)Ceylon Electricity Board
Turbines2 × 20 MW
Installed capacity40 MW
Website
http://www.mahawelicomplex.lk/Poldam.html

The Polgolla Barrage (also erroneously known as the Polgolla Dam) is a barrage built across the Mahaweli River at Polgolla, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The barrage is used to increase the volume of water, for transfer to the hydroelectric power station located 8 km (5 mi) north, via penstock.[1][2]

Polgolla Reservoir Waterdrome operates a short distance upstream on the lake created by the barrage.

Power station[edit]

The Polgolla Barrage, as seen from the left-bank downriver.

Water from the Polgolla Reservoir is transferred to the Ukuwela Power Station at 07°23′56″N 80°39′08″E / 7.39889°N 80.65222°E / 7.39889; 80.65222 (Ukuwela Power Station), near Ukuwela, via an 8 km (5 mi) long underground penstock. Water from the reservoir is transferred to the power station at a rate of 2,000 cu ft/s (57 m3/s).[2]

The power station at Ukuwela consists of two 20 MW hydroelectric generators, totalling the plant capacity to 40 MW. Both units were commissioned in July 1976. Water from the power station is discharged into the Amban River, a major tributary to the Mahaweli River, which then connects back to the Mahaweli River at a distance of approximately 140 km (87 mi) downstream of the Polgolla Barrage.[3][1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Polgolla Barrage and Reservoir". Mahaweli Authority. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "CEB Hydropower Generation". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  3. ^ "CEB Generation Details: Laxapana Complex". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.