Dakpathar Barrage, Hydroelectric barrage in Dehradun district, India.
Dakpathar Barrage is a concrete dam that stretches roughly 516 meters across the Yamuna River and is fitted with 25 floodgates controlling water flow into the East Yamuna Canal. The structure supplies two nearby power plants with the water they need to generate electricity.
Construction began with a foundation-laying ceremony in 1949 as part of the nation's early infrastructure expansion. Operations started in 1965 and the structure has been central to power generation in the region ever since.
The wetland that forms around this structure draws thousands of migratory birds each year, making it an important stopover along their routes between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
The best time to visit is during the dry season when water levels are stable and you can photograph the structure from various angles. Access is straightforward, and walking along the dam offers good views of the river and surrounding landscape.
The dam creates a reservoir sitting at about 790 meters above sea level, handling substantial water volumes every second. This makes it a notable example of how water management shapes both energy production and the river itself.
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