Hathnikund Barrage, Barrage near Yamunanagar, India
Hathnikund Barrage is a concrete structure across the Yamuna River near Yamunanagar in the northern state of Haryana, consisting of pillars and a series of gates that control the flow. It stretches across the full width of the river and creates a wide water surface behind it, with canals branching off in both directions.
The structure was completed in 1999 to replace an older installation downstream that could no longer meet growing irrigation needs. Since then, the Yamuna has been divided at this point to channel water into two large canal systems.
The name comes from an old word for elephant, referring to the scale of the structure. Visitors today often see fishermen in boats below the gates, working on the river during calmer days.
The area is accessible via local roads and sits on flat terrain that works well for visitors with limited mobility. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when birds gather along the water.
The installation cannot hold or store water but only divert it, which sets it apart from a traditional dam. This design allows the river to continue flowing freely while water is directed into side channels in a controlled way.
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