Khanpur Dam

Khanpur Dam is a dam located on the Haro River near Potowar Plateau in Tehsil Khanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. About 50 km from Islamabad.[1] It forms Khanpur Lake, a reservoir which supplies drinking water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi and irrigation water to many of the agricultural and industrial areas surrounding the cities. It is 167 feet (51 m) high and has a water storing capacity of 79,980 acre feet.[2]

Khanpur Dam
Official nameKhanpur Dam
CountryKhanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Coordinates33.807°N 72.936°E / 33.807; 72.936
StatusOperational
Opening date1984
Construction cost1.385 billion Pakistani rupees
Dam and spillways
Height51 m (167 ft)
Reservoir
CreatesKhanpur Lake
Total capacity79,980 acre⋅ft (98,650,000 m3)

The dam was completed in 1983 after a 15-year construction period believed to have cost ₨1,385.1 million.[3] It is 167 feet (51 m) high and stores 79,980 acre feet (98,650,000 m3) of water.[4]

Blue-green water and tourism

The Blue-green water of dam attracts hundreds of tourists from all over the Pakistan. Every weekend, between 40,000 to 50,000 tourists come to Khanpur Dam. Most of them are businessperson who take off from work on Friday – this crowd is joined by the employees of private and public sector organisations on weekends, Saturday and Sunday. Tourists enjoy swimming, boating, cliff jumping and couple of other ground adventure activities and taking a stroll on the banks of the lake and canals.

Interesting activities at Khanpurdam:

Archaeological sites

There are several Buddhist archaeological sites at a few distance from Khanpur Dam, that also invite the attention of locals as well as foreign tourists every year.

Bhamala Buddhist complex

Sculptures and heads dating back to second to fifth century AD had been discovered during excavation at Buddhist stupa known as Bhamala Buddhist Complex near Khanpur. During excavation, precious coins of Kushan period were also found around the stupa. Bhamala archaeological site had been declared national and world heritage site located near Khanpur dam. The ruins dated back to fourth century BC. The stupa is cross-shaped and looks like an Aztec Pyramid.

Rajgan Mosque

The deserted mosque, locally known as the ‘Rajon ki Masjid,’ (the official name being Rajgan Mosque) is believed to be over 100 years old. It is now only used for Eid prayers, as people use the newly-constructed mosques in the nearby areas for everyday prayers. It has a large prayer hall and a time-worn brick courtyard in need of restoration and rehabilitation.

Wapda Rest House

pesco Rest House at Khanpur Dam have been established at very unique location and surroundings. The rest house fulfill accommodations requirements by providing congenial living environment and quality services to the visitors during their official tours as well as their recreational trips/tours.

See also

References
  1. "Khanpur Dam". www.wapda.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  2. "How many Dams in Pakistan? Here is a list of Dams in Pakistan". General Knowledge Urdu. 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  3. "How many Dams in Pakistan? Here is a list of Dams in Pakistan". General Knowledge Urdu. 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  4. "List of Dams in Pakistan". Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. Archived from the original on 2006-06-20. Retrieved 2006-10-30.

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