List of Dams and Reservoirs in Pakistan

Dams and Reservoirs in Pakistan

A dam is a man-made structure built to block or regulate the flow of rivers, while a reservoir is the artificial lake formed behind it to store water. These infrastructures play a vital role in Pakistan’s economy by supporting agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, drinking water supply, and flood control.

According to the International Commission on Large Dams, Pakistan is home to 73 dams and reservoirs over 15 meters in height. Among them, the Tarbela Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands as the largest earth-filled dam in the world and the second largest by structural volume. In terms of flood protection, Mirani Dam leads globally with the largest floodstock capacity of 588,690 cubic hectometers, while Sabakzai Dam ranks seventh worldwide.

Recognizing the importance of water security, both federal and provincial governments have initiated new projects. In Balochistan, 16 new small dams have been announced, and Punjab has launched 13 small dam projects near the Suleman Mountain Ranges.

This article presents a detailed province-wise listing of dams and reservoirs in Pakistan, categorized into Large Dams, Small Dams, and Proposed or Under-Construction Projects — offering an up-to-date overview of the country’s water management infrastructure.

Large Dams in Pakistan

According to the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), any dam with a height above the foundation greater than 15 meters (49 feet) qualifies as a large dam. These structures play a crucial role in Pakistan’s national infrastructure by storing vast quantities of water for agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, urban supply, and flood mitigation.

Pakistan has over 70 large dams, with several exceeding 100 meters in height, categorized as major dams. These include monumental projects like Tarbela Dam, Mangla Dam, and Diamer-Bhasha Dam (under construction), which not only provide water storage but also contribute significantly to the national grid through hydropower production.

Note: Dams with heights greater than 100 meters are marked as major dams. Entries with “NA” indicate that specific data is currently unavailable.

Below is the complete list of large dams across Pakistan, organized province-wise.

Islamabad Capital Territory

1. Angoori Dam
2. Rawal Dam
3. Simly Dam
4. Sandaymar Dam

Punjab

1. Chahan Dam
2. Dungi Dam
3. Jamal Dam
4. Jawa Dam
5. Philna Dam
6. Khasala Dam
7. Mahuta Chak Beli Dam
8. Misriot Dam
9. Nirali Dam
10. Ugahan Dam
11. Ghazi Barotha Dam
12. Haji Shah Dam
13. Jabbi Dam
14. Kanjoor Dam
15. Mirwal Dam
16. Shahpur Dam
17. Shakardara Dam
18. Spiala Dam
19. Ratti Kassi Dam
20. Channi Bor Dam
21. Qibla Bandi Dam
22. Thatti Syedan Dam
23. Sawal Dam

Sindh

1. Darawat Dam
2. Chotiari Dam
3. Nai Gaj Dam

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

1. Dandy Dam
2. Dargai Pal Dam
3. Allai Khwar Dam
4. Jalozai Barani Dam
5. Auxiliary Kandar Dam
6. Aza Khel Dam
7. Baran Dam
8. Chaatri Dam
9. Chanda Fateh Khan Dam
10. Changhoz Dam
11. Darwazai Dam
12. Gandially Dam
13. Gomal Zam Dam
14. Kahal Dam
15. Kandar Dam
16. Khal Dam
17. Khan Khwar Dam
18. Khanpur Dam
19. Mang Dam
20. Naryab Dam
21. Warsak Dam
22. Zaibi Dam
23. Tanda Dam
24. Tarbela (Auxiliary-1 Dam)
25. Tarbela (Auxiliary-2 Dam)
26. Tarbela Dam
27. Sarki Lawaghar Dam
28. Duber Khwar Dam

Balochistan

1. Akra Kaur Dam
2. Amach Dam
3. Band-e-Chaman Dam
4. Gur Dam
5. Hingi Dam
6. Hub Dam
7. Khad Koocha Dam
8. Khajeer Dam
9. Kullan Dam
10. Mana Storage Dam
11. Mangi Dam
12. Mirani Dam
13. Naulong Dam
14. Neelag Dasht Dam
15. Nishpa Dam
16. Pinakai Dam
17. Sabakzai Dam
18. Sasnak Mana Storage Dam
19. Sassi Punnu Dam
20. Shadak Dam
21. Shadi Kaur Storage Dam
22. Shagai Dam
23. Shiker Dam
24. Spinkarez Dam
25. Tabai Dam
26. Tangi Dam
27. Thamarak Dam
28. Tooth Dam
29. Under Base Dam
30. Walitangi Dam

Gilgit-Baltistan

1. Katzarah Dam
2. Satpara Dam
3. Bunji Dam

Azad Kashmir

1. Mangla Dam
2. Neelum–Jhelum Dam
3. Gulpur Dam

Small Dams in Pakistan

Small dams are generally constructed for local-level irrigation, groundwater recharge, livestock watering, and community water supply in rural and semi-arid regions. Although smaller in size compared to large dams, they are crucial for regional water sustainability.

It is estimated that Pakistan needs at least 750 small dams to adequately support its growing population and agricultural needs, especially in water-scarce zones like Balochistan, Tharparkar, and Potohar Plateau. Many small dams have already been constructed across provinces to support farming communities and reduce dependency on unpredictable rainfall.

These dams are cost-effective, require shorter construction periods, and are strategically located to maximize water conservation at the local level.

Here is the numbered list of small dams in Punjab from the provided data:

Punjab

Attock:

1. Basal Dam

Chakwal District (Total: 13+ Dams):
2. Khokher Zer Dam
3. Surlah Dam
4. Dhok Talian Dam
5. Kot Raja Dam
6. Dhoke Qutab Din Dam
7. Nikka Dam
8. Walana Dam
9. Khai Gurabh Dam
10. Pira Fatehal Dam
11. Bhagtal Dam
12. Dhurnal Dam
13. Mial Dam
14. Kanwal Dam
15. Dhrabi Dam
16. Khai Dam
17. Chowkhandi Dam
18. Minwal Dam

Jhelum District:
19. Tain Pura Dam
20. Jammergal Dam
21. Garat Dam
22. Salial Dam
23. Domeli Dam
24. Shah Habib Dam
25. Gurha Utam Singh Dam
26. Fatehpur Dam
27. Lehri Dam
28. Dungi Dam
29. Nirali Dam
30. Phalina Dam
31. Pandori Dam

Rawalpindi District:
32. Jawa Dam
33. Misriot Dam

Proposed and Under-Construction Dams in Pakistan

To address growing concerns around water scarcity, climate change, and energy shortfalls, Pakistan is actively working on new dam projects, some of which are already under construction, while others are in the planning or approval stages.

Major projects like the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, and Dasu Dam are expected to significantly boost water storage, flood control, and hydropower generation. These upcoming infrastructures are also anticipated to create thousands of jobs, improve regional water regulation, and enhance national energy security.

Provincial initiatives are equally important. For example:

• In Balochistan, the government has announced the construction of 16 new small dams to improve irrigation in arid zones.
• In Punjab, 13 new dams have been proposed near the Suleman Mountain Ranges to harness rainwater and support agriculture in underdeveloped areas.

The following section provides a list of proposed and under-construction dams.

Islamabad Capital Territory

1. Chirah Dam (proposed)
2. Chiniot Dam (proposed)
3. Dotara Dam (proposed)
4. Shahdara Dam (proposed)

Punjab

5. Akhori Dam (proposed)
6. Dadhocha Dam (under construction)
7. Mahuta Chak Beli Dam (under construction)
8. Kalabagh Dam (proposed)
9. Papin Dam (proposed)
10. Chiniot Dam (proposed)
11. Murunj Dam (proposed)
12. Soan Dam (proposed)
13. Sora Dam (proposed)
14. Rohtas Dam (proposed)

Sindh

15. Nai Gaj Dam (under construction)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

16. Kurram Tangi Dam (under construction)
17. Dasu Dam (under construction)
18. Dotara Dam (proposed)
19. Bara Dam (proposed)
20. Mohmand Dam (under construction)
21. Kalam Dam (under construction)
22. Othla Dam (under construction)
23. Jabba Dam (proposed)
24. Jalozai Dam (proposed)
25. Tank Zam Dam (proposed)
26. Daraban Zam Dam (proposed)

Balochistan

27. Garuk Dam (proposed)
28. Pelar Dam (proposed)
29. Winder Dam (proposed)
30. Naulong Dam (under construction)
31. Khisar Dam (under construction)
32. Hingol Dam (proposed)
33. Sukleji Dam (proposed)
34. Badin Zai Dam (proposed)

Gilgit-Baltistan

35. Diamer-Bhasha Dam (under construction)
36. Bunji Dam (proposed)
37. Katzarah Dam (proposed)
38. Shyok Dam (proposed)

Azad Kashmir

39. Dudhnial Dam (proposed)

Pakistan’s diverse network of large, small, and under-construction dams reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to manage its precious water resources and address the challenges of agriculture, energy, and climate resilience. From the massive Tarbela and Mangla Dams to locally impactful small dams in arid regions, each structure plays a vital role in supporting the nation’s socio-economic development.

As demand for water and electricity continues to rise, the timely construction of proposed projects and maintenance of existing ones is essential. Strengthening water storage capacity, expanding hydropower potential, and ensuring sustainable management of these reservoirs will remain central to Pakistan’s progress in the years ahead.