Gal Oya Dam, Embankment dam in Uva Province, Sri Lanka
Gal Oya Dam is an embankment dam in Uva Province that holds back water between two hills to create a large reservoir. The facility supplies water for farming and electricity generation across the eastern region.
Construction started in 1949 and finished in 1953 as part of a broader effort to improve water management across the country. The project represented a major step forward in the nation's infrastructure development during the early independence period.
The dam created a vast body of water that reshaped how communities in the eastern region approach farming and water use. Local villages have adapted their daily routines around the presence of this reservoir over the decades.
The site is accessible for visitors who wish to view the dam and the surrounding landscape. It is advisable to explore during daylight hours, as the paths around the water are not always well lit.
The reservoir supplies water to farmland where families have cultivated crops for generations across the surrounding region. The project enabled many households to build their livelihoods in this area.
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