Canyon Dam (Sri Lanka)

For other dams with the same name, see Canyon Dam.
Canyon Dam
Canyon Reservoir in March 2018
Canyon Dam (Sri Lanka) is located in Sri Lanka
Canyon Dam (Sri Lanka)
Location of Canyon Dam in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
LocationLaxapana Falls,
Central Province
Coordinates06°52′18″N 80°31′34″E / 6.87167°N 80.52611°E / 6.87167; 80.52611
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening dateFebruary 1974
Owner(s)Ceylon Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch-gravity dam
ImpoundsMaskeliya Oya
Reservoir
CreatesCanyon Reservoir
Maximum length450 m (1,480 ft)
Maximum width350 m (1,150 ft)
New Laxapana Power Station
Coordinates06°55′05″N 80°29′31″E / 6.91806°N 80.49194°E / 6.91806; 80.49194
TypeConventional
Turbines2 × 50 MW
Installed capacity100 MW

The Canyon Dam is a large arch-gravity dam built across the Maskeliya Oya, 4.5 km (2.8 mi) upstream of the iconic Laxapana Falls, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The associated power station plays a major role in the national power grid, due to its significant output.[1] The dam is surrounded by steel structures of the substation.

Reservoir and power station

Water from the Canyon Dam is channelled through penstocks to the New Laxapana Power Station (blue-roofed building).

The dam creates the relatively small Canyon Reservoir, measuring at 450 m (1,480 ft) and 350 m (1,150 ft) in its longest length and width, respectively. The reservoir's primary source of water is the Maskeliya Oya, with additional water discharged from the Canyon HPower Station, located at the same site.[1]

Water from the Canyon Reservoir is further transferred through a penstock to the New Laxapana Power Station, located 7 km (4.3 mi) downstream, at 06°55′05″N 80°29′31″E / 6.91806°N 80.49194°E / 6.91806; 80.49194 (New Laxapana Power Station), 1.5 km (0.9 mi) northwest of Kiriwan Eliya. The power station consists of two hydroelectric generators of 50 MW each. Both generators were commissioned in February 1974.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "CEB Hydropower Generation". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. ^ "CEB Generation Details: Laxapana Complex". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.