Pakistan relies heavily on dams and reservoirs for water security. These structures support agriculture, generate hydroelectric power, and control floods. The country hosts over 70 large dams and hundreds of small ones. New projects continue to emerge across all provinces. This guide covers every major dam, reservoir, and proposed project in Pakistan.
What Are Dams and Reservoirs?
A dam blocks or regulates river flow. A reservoir forms behind it as an artificial lake. These structures store water for multiple uses. They supply irrigation water to farmland. They generate clean electricity through hydropower.
They provide drinking water to cities. They also reduce flood risks during monsoon seasons. Pakistan faces water scarcity and climate challenges. Dams and reservoirs address these issues directly. They store monsoon water for dry months.
They recharge groundwater tables. They protect communities from flash floods.
Large Dams in Pakistan
The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) defines a large dam. Any structure exceeding 15 meters in height qualifies. Pakistan has 73 large dams meeting this standard. Several exceed 100 meters and qualify as major dams.
Key Facts About Pakistan's Major Dams
| Dam Name |
Province |
Notable Feature |
| Tarbela Dam |
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
Largest earth-filled dam globally; second largest by structural volume |
| Mangla Dam |
Azad Kashmir |
Major water storage and hydropower source |
| Diamer-Bhasha Dam |
Gilgit-Baltistan |
Under construction; will be a major dam upon completion |
| Mirani Dam |
Balochistan |
Largest floodstock capacity worldwide: 588,690 cubic hectometers |
| Sabakzai Dam |
Balochistan |
Ranks seventh worldwide in floodstock capacity |
Province-Wise List of Large Dams
Islamabad Capital Territory (4 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Sandaymar Dam |
| 2 |
Rawal Dam |
| 3 |
Simly Dam |
| 4 |
Angoori Dam |
Punjab (23 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
# |
Dam Name |
# |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Dungi Dam |
9 |
Ugahan Dam |
17 |
Shakardara Dam |
| 2 |
Philna Dam |
10 |
Ghazi Barotha Dam |
18 |
Spiala Dam |
| 3 |
Jamal Dam |
11 |
Haji Shah Dam |
19 |
Ratti Kassi Dam |
| 4 |
Kanjoor Dam |
12 |
Jabbi Dam |
20 |
Channi Bor Dam |
| 5 |
Chahan Dam |
13 |
Jawa Dam |
21 |
Sawal Dam |
| 6 |
Khasala Dam |
14 |
Mirwal Dam |
22 |
Thatti Syedan Dam |
| 7 |
Mahuta Chak Beli Dam |
15 |
Shahpur Dam |
23 |
Qibla Bandi Dam |
| 8 |
Misriot Dam |
16 |
Nirali Dam |
|
|
Sindh (3 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Darawat Dam |
| 2 |
Chotiari Dam |
| 3 |
Nai Gaj Dam |
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (28 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
# |
Dam Name |
# |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Dandy Dam |
11 |
Dargai Pal Dam |
21 |
Tarbela (Auxiliary-2 Dam) |
| 2 |
Allai Khwar Dam |
12 |
Changhoz Dam |
22 |
Duber Khwar Dam |
| 3 |
Auxiliary Kandar Dam |
13 |
Gandially Dam |
23 |
Sarki Lawaghar Dam |
| 4 |
Aza Khel Dam |
14 |
Khanpur Dam |
24 |
Tarbela Dam |
| 5 |
Baran Dam |
15 |
Mang Dam |
|
|
| 6 |
Chaatri Dam |
16 |
Naryab Dam |
|
|
| 7 |
Chanda Fateh Khan Dam |
17 |
Tanda Dam |
|
|
| 8 |
Darwazai Dam |
18 |
Tarbela (Auxiliary-1 Dam) |
|
|
| 9 |
Jalozai Barani Dam |
19 |
Warsak Dam |
|
|
| 10 |
Khan Khwar Dam |
20 |
Zaibi Dam |
|
|
Additional KPK dams include Gomal Zam Dam, Kahal Dam, Kandar Dam, Khal Dam, and others.
Balochistan (30 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
# |
Dam Name |
# |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Akra Kaur Dam |
11 |
Mirani Dam |
21 |
Shadak Dam |
| 2 |
Amach Dam |
12 |
Mana Storage Dam |
22 |
Shadi Kaur Storage Dam |
| 3 |
Band-e-Chaman Dam |
13 |
Naulong Dam |
23 |
Shagai Dam |
| 4 |
Gur Dam |
14 |
Neelag Dasht Dam |
24 |
Shiker Dam |
| 5 |
Hingi Dam |
15 |
Nishpa Dam |
25 |
Spinkarez Dam |
| 6 |
Hub Dam |
16 |
Pinakai Dam |
26 |
Tabai Dam |
| 7 |
Khad Koocha Dam |
17 |
Sabakzai Dam |
27 |
Tangi Dam |
| 8 |
Khajeer Dam |
18 |
Sasnak Mana Storage Dam |
28 |
Thamarak Dam |
| 9 |
Kullan Dam |
19 |
Sassi Punnu Dam |
29 |
Tooth Dam |
| 10 |
Mangi Dam |
20 |
Walitangi Dam |
30 |
Under Base Dam |
Gilgit-Baltistan (3 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Katzarah Dam |
| 2 |
Satpara Dam |
| 3 |
Bunji Dam |
Azad Kashmir (3 Dams)
| # |
Dam Name |
| 1 |
Mangla Dam |
| 2 |
Neelum-Jhelum Dam |
| 3 |
Gulpur Dam |
Small Dams in Pakistan
Small dams serve local communities directly. They support irrigation, recharge groundwater, and provide livestock water. Pakistan needs at least 750 small dams to meet growing demands. Water-scarce regions like Balochistan, Tharparkar, and the Potohar Plateau benefit most.
These structures cost less than large dams. They require shorter construction periods. They conserve water at the local level effectively.
Small Dams in Punjab
| # |
Dam Name |
District |
| 1 |
Nikka Dam |
Chakwal |
| 2 |
Kot Raja Dam |
Chakwal |
| 3 |
Surlah Dam |
Chakwal |
| 4 |
Dhok Talian Dam |
Chakwal |
| 5 |
Khokher Zer Dam |
Chakwal |
| 6 |
Dhoke Qutab Din Dam |
Chakwal |
| 7 |
Basal Dam |
Attock |
| 8 |
Walana Dam |
Chakwal |
| 9 |
Khai Gurabh Dam |
Chakwal |
| 10 |
Pira Fatehal Dam |
Chakwal |
| 11 |
Bhagtal Dam |
Chakwal |
| 12 |
Dhurnal Dam |
Chakwal |
| 13 |
Mial Dam |
Chakwal |
| 14 |
Kanwal Dam |
Chakwal |
| 15 |
Dhrabi Dam |
Chakwal |
| 16 |
Khai Dam |
Chakwal |
| 17 |
Chowkhandi Dam |
Chakwal |
| 18 |
Minwal Dam |
Chakwal |
| 19 |
Tain Pura Dam |
Jhelum |
| 20 |
Jammergal Dam |
Jhelum |
| 21 |
Garat Dam |
Jhelum |
| 22 |
Salial Dam |
Jhelum |
| 23 |
Domeli Dam |
Jhelum |
| 24 |
Shah Habib Dam |
Jhelum |
| 25 |
Gurha Utam Singh Dam |
Jhelum |
| 26 |
Fatehpur Dam |
Jhelum |
| 27 |
Lehri Dam |
Jhelum |
| 28 |
Dungi Dam |
Jhelum |
| 29 |
Nirali Dam |
Jhelum |
| 30 |
Phalina Dam |
Jhelum |
| 31 |
Pandori Dam |
Jhelum |
| 32 |
Jawa Dam |
Rawalpindi |
| 33 |
Misriot Dam |
Rawalpindi |
Proposed and Under-Construction Dams
Pakistan continues to expand its water infrastructure. New projects address water scarcity, climate change, and energy shortfalls. Major initiatives include Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, and Dasu Dam. These projects will boost storage, improve flood control, and add hydropower capacity.
New Government Initiatives
| Province |
New Projects |
Focus Area |
| Balochistan |
16 small dams |
Irrigation in arid zones |
| Punjab |
13 dams near Suleman Mountain Ranges |
Rainwater harvesting for agriculture |
Complete List of Proposed and Under-Construction Dams
Islamabad Capital Territory
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Chirah Dam |
Proposed |
| Chiniot Dam |
Proposed |
| Dotara Dam |
Proposed |
| Shahdara Dam |
Proposed |
Punjab
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Akhori Dam |
Proposed |
| Dadhocha Dam |
Under Construction |
| Mahuta Chak Beli Dam |
Under Construction |
| Kalabagh Dam |
Proposed |
| Papin Dam |
Proposed |
| Chiniot Dam |
Proposed |
| Murunj Dam |
Proposed |
| Soan Dam |
Proposed |
| Sora Dam |
Proposed |
| Rohtas Dam |
Proposed |
Sindh
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Nai Gaj Dam |
Under Construction |
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Kurram Tangi Dam |
Under Construction |
| Dasu Dam |
Under Construction |
| Mohmand Dam |
Under Construction |
| Kalam Dam |
Under Construction |
| Othla Dam |
Under Construction |
| Dotara Dam |
Proposed |
| Bara Dam |
Proposed |
| Jabba Dam |
Proposed |
| Jalozai Dam |
Proposed |
| Tank Zam Dam |
Proposed |
| Daraban Zam Dam |
Proposed |
Balochistan
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Naulong Dam |
Under Construction |
| Khisar Dam |
Under Construction |
| Garuk Dam |
Proposed |
| Pelar Dam |
Proposed |
| Winder Dam |
Proposed |
| Hingol Dam |
Proposed |
| Sukleji Dam |
Proposed |
| Badin Zai Dam |
Proposed |
Gilgit-Baltistan
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Diamer-Bhasha Dam |
Under Construction |
| Bunji Dam |
Proposed |
| Katzarah Dam |
Proposed |
| Shyok Dam |
Proposed |
Azad Kashmir
| Dam Name |
Status |
| Dudhnial Dam |
Proposed |
Why Dams and Reservoirs Matter for Pakistan
Water demand continues to rise across Pakistan. Agriculture consumes over 90% of available freshwater. Urban populations grow rapidly. Climate change disrupts traditional rainfall patterns. Dams and reservoirs provide a buffer against these pressures.
Hydropower from dams reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Tarbela and Mangla alone contribute significantly to the national grid. New projects like Diamer-Bhasha will add thousands of megawatts.
Flood control saves lives and property annually. Mirani Dam holds the world's largest floodstock capacity. This infrastructure protects downstream communities effectively.
Pakistan's network of dams and reservoirs spans every province and territory. From the massive Tarbela Dam to small community structures, each plays a vital role. The country has over 73 large dams, hundreds of small dams, and dozens of proposed projects.
Timely construction of new dams remains essential. Maintenance of existing infrastructure ensures long-term benefits. Expanding water storage and hydropower capacity supports national development goals. Pakistan must continue investing in dams and reservoirs to secure its water future.
Update !
Last Updated: July 2026
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