Maskeliya Dam, Gravity dam in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka.
Maskeliya Dam is a gravity dam that spans the Maskeliya Oya and creates a large reservoir connected to Canyon Power Station through a pipeline. Water from this reservoir flows down to power two turbines that together produce electrical energy for the region.
This installation was completed in 1983 by the Ceylon Electricity Board as part of the Laxapana Hydropower Complex to address growing electricity needs across the country. It helped to supply power to multiple regions in Sri Lanka during a period of expanding energy demand.
The reservoir created by this structure became part of the local landscape, and visitors can see how the water body shapes the surrounding highlands. The dam's presence has made this area a point of interest for people traveling through the Central highlands.
The site can be visited, but it is surrounded by security measures since it is an active power facility and visitors should expect restricted areas. It is best to explore the surroundings during daylight hours and check locally for any access rules or safe vantage points.
The Maskeliya Oya, the river that this dam crosses, flows into the Kelani River, which is the fourth longest river in the country. This connection shows how this local waterway is part of a larger freshwater system that sustains the central region.
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