Canyon Dam (Sri Lanka)

Canyon Dam
Canyon Reservoir in March 2018
Location of Canyon Dam in Sri Lanka
Country Sri Lanka
Location Laxapana Falls,
Central Province
Coordinates 06°52′18″N 80°31′34″E / 6.87167°N 80.52611°E / 6.87167; 80.52611Coordinates: 06°52′18″N 80°31′34″E / 6.87167°N 80.52611°E / 6.87167; 80.52611
Purpose Power
Status Operational
Opening date February 1974
Owner(s) Ceylon Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Arch-gravity dam
Impounds Maskeliya Oya
Reservoir
Creates Canyon Reservoir
Maximum length 450 m (1,480 ft)
Maximum width 350 m (1,150 ft)
New Laxapana Power Station
Coordinates 06°55′05″N 80°29′31″E / 6.91806°N 80.49194°E / 6.91806; 80.49194
Type Conventional
Turbines 2 × 50 MW
Installed capacity 100 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]

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 of which were commissioned in February 1974.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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.


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