Pakistan is a country blessed with mighty rivers, deserts, and significant physical features, but it faces water management challenges due to seasonal rainfall, uneven river flows, and rapid population growth. Water is one of Pakistan’s most critical natural resources; vital for agriculture, electricity generation, and daily life. With a largely agrarian economy and a growing population, the country faces constant pressure to manage its water supply efficiently. This is where dams in Pakistan become essential. To regulate water flow evenly throughout the year, dams in Pakistan play a critical role in sustaining the nation’s agriculture, generating electricity, and managing flood risks.

So, what is a dam? A dam is a barrier that is either natural or constructed artificially, which helps to divert the flow of water. With over 150 dams across the country, Pakistan relies heavily on these water storage structures to support its irrigation systems, meet growing energy demands, and regulate river flows during the changing climate of Pakistan, like the monsoon season. Major dams like Tarbela, Mangla, and the under-construction Diamer-Bhasha Dam are engineering marvels that shape Pakistan’s economic and environmental landscape.

In this blog, we’ll look into the total number of dams in Pakistan, their purpose, and the significance of dams in Pakistan. Dams of Pakistan are often repeated in the 6-mark question. It is repeated in the O-level past papers frequently. We’ll explore major and minor dams, ongoing projects,  and the significance of dams for the economy of Pakistan.

History of dams in Pakistan?

Before diving straight into how many dams are there in Pakistan and which are the major dams in Pakistan, let’s explore the history of dams. 

The journey of dam construction in Pakistan began shortly after its independence in 1947. Recognizing the importance of managing the Indus River system, the government prioritized building large-scale dams and barrages.

The history of the construction of dams in Pakistan is linked with the need for power generation and water management after the partition of 1947, following the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. 

Initially, the construction of dams in Pakistan started for irrigation and some projects like Warsak and Mangla. Later dams like Terbela were used for both irrigation and hydro power generation in Pakistan. Before independence, Pakistan had only a few dams, but after the Indus water treaty, which focused on water sharing, Pakistan started major dam construction projects that turned to supply water for agriculture and power generation.

O-level and IGCSE private candidates face difficulties in keeping all the dams in their memory. The following study tips for O-levels can help to never miss out on any important information. Extending your O-levels over three years can ease your burden, and you can utilise your summers productively, learning difficult topics. 

How many dams in Pakistan?

According to the latest stats of 2025, the total number of dams in Pakistan is 150. The majority of these dams were built between 1960 and 1975. Pakistan is considered blessed to hold the title of owning the largest earth-filled dam, the Terbela dam.  

Breakdown:

• Large Dams: Around 2 dozen (e.g., Tarbela, Mangla, Mirani)
  
• Small and Medium Dams: Over 130 (e.g., Rawal, Hub, Satpara, Darawat)
  
• Many new dams are under construction or in planning, including Diamer-Bhasha, Dasu, and Mohmand dams.

Major dams in Pakistan:

1. Terbela Dam:

When we talk about the most famous dams in Pakistan, Tarbela Dam comes first. Built on the Indus River, it holds the title of the largest earth-filled dam in the world and ranks second in structural volume after the Three Gorges Dam in China’s Hubei Province.

Construction of Tarbela Dam began in 1968 and was completed in 1976 at a total cost of $1.497 billion. The dam stands 143.26 meters (470 feet) high and stretches 2,743.2 meters (9,000 feet) in length.

Its total water storage capacity is an impressive 13.69 cubic kilometers, and it covers a catchment area of about 168,000 square kilometers. Tarbela plays a vital role in irrigation, power generation, and flood control, making it a key asset in Pakistan’s water and energy infrastructure.

2. Mangla Dam:

Next on the list is Mangla Dam, which holds the title of the ninth-largest dam in the world. It was constructed in 1967 in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Built on the Jhelum River, the dam stretches about 3,140 meters (10,302 feet) in length and stands 147 meters (482 feet) high.

The project was a major milestone in Pakistan’s water infrastructure and cost approximately $1.473 billion, with funding provided by the World Bank. Mangla Dam plays a crucial role in storing water for irrigation and generating hydroelectric power for the country.

3. Warsak dam:

Warsak Dam is Pakistan’s third-largest water reservoir, located on the Kabul River, northwest of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was built in two phases; the first completed in 1960 and the second between 1980 and 1981 to increase capacity.

Standing 76.2 meters tall and 140.2 meters long, the dam cost 156 million rupees to construct. Today, the Warsak Hydropower Project produces up to 243 MW of electricity, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s renewable energy supply.

4. Mirani Dam:

Next on the list is Mirani Dam, located on the Dasht River in Balochistan. It was constructed between 2002 and 2006 at a cost of approximately Rs. 5.26 billion. What makes this dam remarkable is that it holds the title of being the largest dam in the world in terms of flood protection volume.

The dam stands 39 meters (127 feet) tall and stretches 1,020 meters (3,350 feet) in length. Its flood storage capacity is an impressive 588,690 cubic hectometers, making it a key structure for flood control and water storage in an otherwise arid region.

5. Khanpur dam:

Khanpur Dam, built on the Haro River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is located about 40 km from Islamabad. Completed in 1983 after 15 years of construction, the dam supplies drinking water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It stands 167 feet (51 meters) high and stores up to 110,000 acre-feet of water. Besides its utility, Khanpur Dam is also a popular tourist spot, known for boating, jet skiing, and scenic views.

6. Satpara dam:

Located just 4 km from Skardu Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, Satpara Dam is a medium-sized, earth-filled dam built on Satpara Lake. It is the primary source of electricity and clean water for Skardu city, generating 17.36 MW of hydroelectric power and supplying 3.1 million gallons of drinking water daily.

Construction began in 2003, and with support from USAID, the final power units were completed in 2013. Today, Satpara Dam plays a vital role in the infrastructure and development of northern Pakistan.

7. Gomal Zam Dam:

Gomal Zam Dam is a multi-purpose gravity dam located in South Waziristan, built on the Gomal River, a tributary of the Indus. It provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and flood control, playing a vital role in the region’s development.

Initially approved in 1963, the project was delayed due to the 1965 Indo-Pak war and later revived in 2001. Construction was completed by 2011, and the dam began generating electricity in August 2013.

Built with roller-compacted concrete, the dam stands 133 meters tall and has a capacity of 17.4 MW. The project also received $26 million in support from USAID, which helped complete the final powerhouse units by mid-2013.

8. Hub dam:

Hub Dam, located on the Hub River near the Sindh–Balochistan border, is the third-largest dam in Pakistan with a storage capacity of 85,700 acre-feet. Just 56 km from Karachi, it serves as the primary source of drinking water for the city’s millions of residents.

The surrounding area, declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974, is home to various bird species and was designated a Ramsar Site in 2001, recognizing its international importance as a wetland. Besides its utility, Hub Dam is a popular weekend tourist destination for picnics, swimming, and fishing, with a WAPDA rest house available for visitors.

9. Diaer bhasha dam:

The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, under construction on the Indus River in Gilgit-Baltistan, is set to become the world’s tallest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam at 272 meters. Its foundation was laid on October 18, 2011, by former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.

Once completed, it will generate 4,500 megawatts of clean hydroelectric power through two underground powerhouses. The dam will store 8.1 million acre-feet of water (with 6.4 MAF live storage), helping meet Pakistan’s irrigation and drinking water needs, especially in dry regions.

Besides supporting agriculture and energy, it will also control floods and reduce sedimentation downstream, extending the life of Tarbela Dam. With 14 spillway gates and advanced engineering, Diamer-Bhasha is a critical step toward Pakistan’s water and energy security.

10. Gulpur hydro power plant:

The Gulpur Hydropower Plant is a 100 MW run-of-river project on the Poonch River, a tributary of the Jhelum, located in Kotli District, Azad Jammu & Kashmir. It lies about 285 km from Lahore and 167 km from Islamabad.

Awarded to MIRA Power Limited, a subsidiary of South Korea’s KOSEP, the project aims to produce clean and affordable energy. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate around 465 GWh of electricity annually, helping reduce Pakistan’s reliance on fossil fuels.

11. Kalabagh dam:

The Kalabagh Dam, proposed on the Indus River near Mianwali in Punjab, has the potential to generate 3,600 MW of hydroelectric power and significantly improve water storage and irrigation in Pakistan. However, despite its benefits, the project remains stalled due to strong opposition from several provinces over water distribution, environmental concerns, and provincial rights, making it one of the country’s most debated infrastructure projects.

12. Neelum Jhelum hydro power plant:

The Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant, located 42 km south of Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is a major run-of-the-river project that diverts water from the Neelum River to the Jhelum River through underground tunnels. With a capacity of 969 MW, construction began in 2008 by a Chinese company and faced several delays. The first unit became operational in April 2018, and the plant reached full capacity by 14 August 2018. It is expected to produce 5,150 GWh of electricity annually for the next 30 years at a tariff of Rs. 13.50 per unit, making it a key player in Pakistan’s renewable energy sector.

Other notable dams in Pakistan:

1. Rawal Dam: (Islamabad) Located near Islamabad, it supplies drinking water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad and supports local irrigation.
2. Chashma Barrage: (Mianwali, Punjab): Built on the Indus River, it regulates river flow and supports irrigation and power generation.
3. Guddu barrage: (Sindh): Situated on the Indus River near Kashmore, it diverts water to canals for irrigating Sindh and southern Punjab.
4. Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project: (Attock, Punjab): A run-of-the-river project generating 1,450 MW of electricity using water released from Tarbela Dam.

Under construction dams in Pakistan:

1. Diamer Bhasha Dam: (Gilgit-Baltistan/KP): A multipurpose mega project under construction on the Indus River, aiming to store 8.1 MAF of water and generate 4,500 MW of electricity.
2. Mohmand dam: (Mohmand District, KP): Under construction on the Swat River to provide irrigation, flood control, and generate 800 MW hydropower.
3. Dasu dam: (Kohistan, KP): Located on the Indus River, this dam will generate 4,320 MW of power upon completion in two phases.
4. Nai Gaj Dam: (Dadu District, Sindh): A flood protection and irrigation dam is being built in a drought-prone region to store rainwater and support agriculture.
5. Kurram Tangi Dam: (North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): Located on the Kaitu River, this under-construction multipurpose dam aims to provide irrigation to thousands of acres and generate 83.4 MW of hydropower, while also aiding in flood control and water storage for the region.

Major Dams of Pakistan: Overview Table

Dam Name	Location	Height (m)	Storage Capacity (Million Acre-Feet – MAF)	Year Completed	Purpose
Tarbela Dam	Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa	143	13.69 MAF	1976	Irrigation, Hydropower, Flood Control
Mangla Dam	Mirpur, Azad Jammu & Kashmir	147	7.39 MAF	1967	Irrigation, Hydropower, Water Supply
Warsak Dam	Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa	76.2	0.24 MAF	1960 (expanded 1981)	Hydropower, Irrigation
Hub Dam	Karachi–Lasbela border (Sindh–Balochistan)	55.2	0.857 MAF	1981	Water Supply, Irrigation
Mirani Dam	Kech District, Balochistan	39	0.152 MAF	2006	Irrigation, Water Supply
Neelum–Jhelum Dam	Muzaffarabad, AJK	Underground	— (Run-of-river)	2018	Hydropower (969 MW)
Satpara Dam	Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan	128	0.0934 MAF	2013	Irrigation, Hydropower, Drinking Water
Darawat Dam	Jamshoro District, Sindh	46	0.089 MAF	2014	Irrigation, Water Storage
Sabakzai Dam	Zhob District, Balochistan	34	0.032 MAF	2007	Irrigation
Diamer-Bhasha Dam (Under Construction)	Gilgit-Baltistan / KP	272	8.10 MAF (planned)	Expected 2029	Hydropower, Irrigation, Water Storage, Flood Control

Which was the first dam in Pakistan?

The first constructed dam in Pakistan was the Warsak dam. It was constructed in 1960 and was financed by the Canadian government. This dam is located on the Kabul River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

Purpose of dams in Pakistan:

Dams in Pakistan serve numerous purposes. They are very important to the economy, food security, and energy needs of Pakistan:

1. Agriculture: Pakistan’s economy heavily depends on agriculture, which consumes over 90% of the country’s freshwater. Dams store river water and release it during dry periods to irrigate crops, especially in Punjab and Sindh. Without dams, seasonal rivers would leave millions of acres of farmland barren.
2. Domestic and industrial use: Dams supply clean water to millions of people for household use in urban and rural areas. They also provide water to industries for manufacturing processes, supporting economic growth and job creation.
3. Hydropower generation: Hydropower is Pakistan’s largest source of renewable energy. Major dams like Tarbela and Mangla generate thousands of megawatts of electricity, helping reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat energy shortages.
4. Flood control: During the monsoon season, Pakistan is vulnerable to devastating floods. Dams regulate river flow and store excess rainwater, protecting lives, homes, and farmland from flood damage.
5. Groundwater recharge/ Water supply: Small and medium dams slow down surface runoff, allowing water to seep underground and recharge aquifers. This helps maintain groundwater levels, especially in arid areas like Balochistan.

Significance of dams in Pakistan:

Dams are essential for Pakistan’s survival, especially considering its agricultural economy, energy needs, and growing water crisis. These structures play a crucial role in supporting national development, regional stability, and long-term sustainability. Here’s why dams are so significant for Pakistan:

1. Agricultural Backbone

Pakistan relies heavily on agriculture, which consumes over 90% of its freshwater. Dams help store and regulate river water to ensure year-round irrigation, especially during dry seasons. Without dams, millions of acres of fertile land would remain uncultivated, putting food security at risk.

2. Water Storage for Dry Seasons

Most of Pakistan’s rainfall and river flow occurs during a few months of the year. Dams act as reservoirs that store this water for later use, ensuring a steady supply throughout the year for both urban and rural populations.

3. Renewable Energy Production

Hydropower generated by dams is a clean and sustainable energy source. Major dams like Tarbela, Mangla, and Neelum–Jhelum produce thousands of megawatts, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and helping lower electricity costs.

4. Flood Control

Monsoon floods pose a serious threat to life and infrastructure every year. Dams control river flow by holding back excess water and releasing it gradually, reducing the risk of devastating floods in downstream areas.

5. Drinking Water and Industrial Use

Dams supply water for drinking and sanitation, especially in large cities like Islamabad and Karachi. They also support industries by providing water for manufacturing and processing, which boosts the national economy.

6. Groundwater Recharge

Some dams and reservoirs help recharge underground aquifers by allowing water to seep into the ground. This is especially important in arid regions like Balochistan, where groundwater is a primary water source.

7. Climate Adaptation and Resilience

With increasing climate variability, dams help Pakistan manage extreme weather events like droughts and floods. They provide a buffer against water scarcity and contribute to long-term environmental resilience.

Conclusion:

Dams in Pakistan are lifelines. From treating water scarcity, energy shortfalls, and agricultural demands, dams are immensely important for the economy. As climate change and population growth put increasing pressure on water resources, the continued development and maintenance of dams remain crucial for Pakistan’s economic stability, food security, and sustainable future.

Dams in Pakistan are a vast and complex topic. To fully understand this, you will need a good tuition teacher to help you unfold the complexities. With exam overload in Pakistan, VACE Global offers the best teachers who will not only help you study but will also help you make an effective study schedule to cover all your O-level subjects properly. Guiding you with examiners’ reports and marking schemes, our students are always satisfied with our teaching pattern and secure scholarships. Enroll with the best O-level tutors and score the grades of your dreams. 

FAQs:

1. Which is the largest dam in Pakistan?

The largest dam in Pakistan is Tarbela Dam.

2. How many dams in Pakistan? 

There are over 150 dams in Pakistan as of 2025.

3. What are the names of the major dams?

Major dams include Tarbela, Mangla, Warsak, Mirani, Hub, Khanpur, Satpara, and Diamer-Bhasha.

4. Which is the smallest dam in Pakistan?

The total number of dams in Pakistan is approximately 150.

5. What is the total number of dams in Pakistan?

The total number of dams in Pakistan is approximately 150.

6. Which was the first dam in Pakistan?

The first dam in Pakistan was Warsak Dam, completed in 1960.