1

Site visit
INDUSTRIAL VIST REPORT
NAME:

MUHAMMAD SHOAIB:
REGISTRATION No:

19-CIVIL-014
SUBMITTED TO:

ENGR SIR Ehtisham

10-12-2021

HITEC UNIVERSITY OF TAXILA PAKISTAN

 2

Tarbela Dam in Pakistan. Case study of reservoir sedimentation

Aim:
 The primary purpose of the Tarbela Dam Project was to regulate the flows of the Indus
River for irrigation use.
 How to apply theoretical knowledge in practical from.
 What is the purpose of dam.
 How construct the dam.
 What is reservoir , spillways,
 Other objectives were to achieve substantial generation of hydroelectric power and flood
control by conserving snow melt and monsoon flows of the Indus River.
Objectives:
 To get practical knowledge achieved in filed area (Dam reservoir Barrage.
 To gain some experience about the dam reservoir and barrage.
 To observe the theoretical knowledge in practical from.
 To observed condition of site and safety career.
 To observe the usages of machinery at construction site.
 To develop our practical knowledge.
 To observed how to face with labors or worker
 To observe how to check the errors.
 To observe how to water pass on spillways.
Name of site visit:
Tarbela dam
Name of Site supervisor:
Host wapda : zeeshan khan

Description of the visit:

Abstract:
One of the world greatest water resource development project build on one of the world largest
river indus known as abbasin. The main purpose is irrigation also generating hydro electricity
and controlling floods. The total cost of the project including power units(1-14) amounts US $2.6
billion unit (15-17) costs 762 million US $. The catchments area 65500sq.miles contain seven of
the world highest peaks.
Reservoir sedimentation is a main concern in the Tarbela reservoir in Pakistan. This major
storage reservoir on the Indus River, constructed between 1968 and 1974, plays a key role in the
provision of water for irrigation, power generation and flood control. Sediments have reduced
30% the initial capacity of the reservoir (11,600Mm3 ). The advance of the foreset slope towards
the dam also increases the risk of blocking the low level outlets that provide flows downstream
to the irrigation system and to the power station.
 3

Introduction:
Tarbela Dam was constructed in the 1970’s on the Indus river in north central Pakistan.
It was conceived to help to regulate the seasonal flows both for irrigation of the Indus
plains downstream and for generation of hydropower. Tarbela is a strategic national
resource providing 50% of the total irrigation releases and 30% of the total power and
energy needs of Pakistan. Tarbela Project comprises three dams, the main embankment
with a length of 2,750m and a height of 143m. The reservoir had an initial capacity of
11,600Mm3 and a reservoir length extending approximately 70km upstream the dam.
The Indus River carries a very high sediment load. This is largely due to the erosive
effect of the glaciers that supply much of the flow. It is estimated that over 200 million
tonnes of suspended sand, silt and washload (Lowe and Fox, 1982) are deposited entirely
in the reservoir accumulating in the form of a delta that grows toward the dam. When the
project was conceived it was considered that Tarbela Reservoir would have been filled
with sediment within 30 years but sediment rates have been lower than expected.
Tunnels:
There are four tunnels each about half a mile long these tunnel are being used for power
generation. The discharge capacity of irrigation tunnel at higer reservoir elevation
(1500ft) is 93,000 cumecs.
Power generation:

There are four power units of 175MW generating capacity each were to be installed on
each of the tunnels 1,2,3 the capacity of 2,100MW.
Reservoir: Dam Model

Spillways No = 2:
passage for surplus water to run over or around an obstruction (such as a dam)
 4

The dam's two spillways are on the auxiliary dams rather than the main dam. The main
spillway has a discharge capacity of 18,406 cubic metres per second (650,000 cu ft/s) and the
auxiliary spillway, 24,070 cubic metres per second (850,000 cu ft/s).
The two auxiliary embankments carry two spillways, the service spillway and the auxiliary
spillway. The service spillway is fitted with seven gates and has a discharge capacity of
650,000cusec. The auxiliary spillway with its nine gates can discharge 850,000cusec.
Spillway spillway

Spillway spillway
 5

Tunnel of tarbela Dam:

The Tarbela Dam was built with five original tunnels, with the first three dedicated to
hydropower generation, and the remaining two slated for irrigation use. The fourth
phase extension project uses the first of the two irrigation tunnels, while the fifth
phase extension will use the second irrigation tunnel.

Water discharge :
The Indus basin upstream of Tarbela Dam has an area of 169,650 km2 . Over 90% lies between
the Great Karakoram and the Himalayan ranges and meltwaters from this region contribute to the
major part of the annual flow reaching Tarbela. The remainder of the basin, lying immediately
upstream of the dam (Figure 1), is subject to monsoon rainfall primarily during the months of
July, August and September. The monsoon rains runoff causes sharp floods of short duration
which are superimposed on the slower responding snowmelt runoff.
 6

Key features of the project:

Tarbela Dam Project involved the construction of an earth and rock-fill dam on the River Indus
and a power plant. Maximum height of the main embankment from the lowest foundation point
is 470ft and length is 9,000ft at its crest. The dam required 138 million cubic yards of fill.

Main Features:

Normal Pond Level 340.0 masl (Meters above sea level)

Maximum (Survival) Pond Level 341.5 masl

Design Flood Discharge Capacity 18,700 cumecs (660,000 cusecs)

Discharge Intensity (Average) 36.5 cumecs (393 cusecs/ft)

Survival Flood Capacities

1. Gated Sections 23,000 cumecs (812,000 cusecs)

2. Fuse Plug 23,200 cumecs (819,000 cusecs)
46,200 cumecs (1,630,000 cusecs)
3. Combined
1600 cumecs (max)
28 cumecs
Canal capacity
Mandatory Flow down-stream of river
 7

Standard Bays Under Sluices Head Regulator

No. of Gates 20 8 8

Gate Size (Opening) 18.3 x 7.8m (W x H) 18.3 x 2.8m (W x H) 18.3 x 7m (W x H)

Gate Type Radial Radial Radial

Sill Level 332.2m 326m 333m

Gantry Cranes (1+1) 75/10t 75/10

Hydrograph of tarbela Dam:

It is the variation between discharge and time

 8

Group photos
 9

CONCLUSION:
It was a very good visit because its is refresh our mind now we are more attracted in hydrology
as well as in dam study. We observed different type of spillways also we learn how to work these
spillway. We learn about the discharge how to control the discharge also how to control the
floods. The main purpose of this dam is irrigation used also alternative resource is generated of
electricity.
I looked the barrage reservoir and also protection rocks. We observed that how to apply
theoretical knowledge to practical. it was study tour to learn about different purpose of the dam
also uses of dam.

I learn about of turbin but they are not in work condition due to less amount of water. Also we
learn about the history of the tarbela Dam when build why build and where build and how build.
From this site visit, I understand more about the dam. I managed to understand the basic process
and practical aspect of dam techniques on site. I can gain more knowledge when I had this site
visit. Besides, it is important to know about the safety precaution rules, site investigation, job
scopes of the professional workers. I’m given much information during the site visit. The
information I get help me a lot on this report too. Lastly, I think this site visit benefits a lot on my
subject and for my future as it prepare me to overcome many upcoming problems. I am really
appreciated for the chance to have site visit for the exposure. This would have more practical
knowledge as it gives me preparation for the future to become a successful dam supervisor.