Kandalama Reservoir

Kandalama Reservoir
280px Northern region of the Kandalama Reservoir, as seen from Heritance Kandalama in June 2008.
Location of Kandalama Reservoir in Sri Lanka
Country	Sri Lanka
Location	Kandalama
Coordinates
Purpose	Irrigation
Status	Operational
Owner(s)	Mahaweli Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment dam
Height	21 m (69 ft)
Length	1,600 m (5,200 ft)
Spillway capacity	33.3 million cu. Meters
Reservoir
Total capacity	33,300,000 m3 (1.18×109 cu ft)
Catchment area	102 km2 (39.4 sq mi)
Max. length	4.8 km (3.0 mi)
Max. width	2.3 km (1.4 mi)

The Kandalama Reservoir (also erroneously known as the Kandalama Lake) is a reservoir in Kandalama, Sri Lanka. The reservoir is created by the 21 m (69 ft) high and 1,600 m (5,200 ft) wide Kandalama Dam. Water from the dam is used for irrigation purposes in the region, extending up to Kekirawa. The tank was created by constructing a dam across one of the main tributaries of Kala Wewa - the Mirisgoniya River. During 1952 to 1957, the tank was rehabilitated by Department of Irrigation of Sri Lanka. The reservoir and hotel is situated with the Kaludiya Pokuna Forest archeological site.

The reservoir measures 4.8 km (3.0 mi) and 2.3 km (1.4 mi) at its longest length and width respectively, with a catchment area of 102 km² (39.4 sq mi) and a volume of 33,300,000 m³ (1.18×10⁹ cu ft). Due to its scenic surroundings, and year-round water availability, the reservoir is a very popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka.

File:Kandalama Reservoir in dry season.jpg

The reservoir during dry season.

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in Sri Lanka