imported>Harshdaank at 18:06, 13 March 2026

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{{Short description|Dam in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Jayakwadi Dam
| image = Jayakwadi Dam.jpg
| image_caption = Jayakwadi dam with its floodgates closed
| name_official = Jayakwadi-I D02995
| dam_crosses = [[Godavari|Godavari River]]
| location = [[Jayakwadi]], [[Aurangabad district, Maharashtra]], India
| dam_type = [[embankment dam|Earthen dam]]
| dam_length = {{Convert|9998 |m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (9.998 km)
| dam_height = {{Convert|41.30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_base =
| spillway_count = 27 Gates
| spillway_type =
| spillway_capacity = 18153 cubic meters/sec<ref>Dams of national importance, National Register of large dams,2019 Ed, Central Water Commission, New Delhi, Govt of India</ref>
| construction_began = 1965
| opening = 1976<ref name= MDDL>{{cite web | url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Jayakwadi-I_Dam_D02995 | title=Jayakwadi-I D02995 | access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref>
| cost = 4,700 cr<ref name = "JDR">{{cite web | url=http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/vijdiw-474335-jaikwadi-dam-and-its-nath-sagar-reservoir/ | title=Jaikwadi Dam and Its Nath Sagar Reservoir | publisher=authorstream.com | access-date=13 September 2013 | archive-date=10 February 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210211220/http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/vijdiw-474335-jaikwadi-dam-and-its-nath-sagar-reservoir/ }}</ref>
| owner = [[Government of Maharashtra]]
| res_name = Nath Sagar Jalashay
| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|2.909|km3|ft3|abbr=on}} (102.75 tmc ft)<ref>Dams of national importance, National Register of large dams,2019 Ed, Central Water Commission, New Delhi, Govt of India</ref>
| res_capacity_active = 2.17 cubic kms (77 tmc ft)<ref>Dams of national importance, National Register of large dams, 2019 Ed, Central Water Commission, New Delhi, Govt of India</ref>
| res_capacity_inactive = 26 tmc ft
| res_catchment = {{Convert|21750 |km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}
| res_surface = {{Convert|350|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}
| res_max_depth =
| plant_operator =
| plant_turbines =
| plant_capacity = 12 [[Megawatt|MW]]
| plant_annual_gen =
| plant_commission =
| plant_decommission =
| location_map = India
| location_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|19|29|8.7|N|75|22|12|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| extra =
}}

'''Jayakwadi Dam''' is an [[Embankment dam|earthen dam]] located on [[Godavari]] river at the site of Jayakwadi village in [[Paithan]] taluka of [[Aurangabad district, Maharashtra|Aurangabad district]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. It is a multipurpose project. The water is mainly used to [[irrigate]] agricultural land in the drought-prone{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} [[Marathwada]] region of the state. It also provides water for drinking and industrial usage to nearby towns and villages and to the municipalities and industrial areas of Sambhajinagar and [[Jalna district]]s. The surrounding area of the dam has a garden and a bird sanctuary.{{Vague|reason=Name? Are the "garden" and bird sanctuary one or two separate entities?|date=September 2025}}

== History and significance ==
A plan to build a dam on Godavari river in the drought-prone Marathwada region was first conceived during rule of [[Hyderabad State|state of Hyderabad]]. The plan was to build a dam in [[Beed district]] near Jayakwadi village with storage capacity of 2,147 MCM (million cubic meters).<ref name = "MVKS">{{cite web | url=http://www.marathivishwakosh.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11304 | title=जायकवाडी प्रकल्प | publisher=महाराष्ट्र राज्य मराठी विश्वकोश निर्मिती मंडळ | location=Mumbai | access-date= 11 July 2013 | author= Gadre V. R.}}</ref> The project came to be known as Jayakwadi project after the name of the village. However, after formation of new state of Maharashtra and comparative analysis on alternative places, it was decided to build a dam 100 km upstream at Paithan. The project was continued to name as Jayakwadi even after it was shifted to a new location. Building dam at higher level made it possible to have longer canals and thus providing irrigation facility to a larger region. The project proposal for this was completed by 1964, under the supervision of Mr. [[A A A Siddiqui]], the incharge Civil Engineer, member of public commission, Maharashtra.

The foundation of the dam was laid by [[Lal Bahadur Shastri]], then [[Prime Minister of India]], on 18 October 1965. The dam was inaugurated on 24 February 1976 by the then Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]].<ref name = "MVKS"/>

==Dam==
Jayakwadi is one of the longest earthen dams in Asia. Its height is about {{convert|41.30|m}} and length of about {{convert|10|km}} with a total storage capacity of 2,909 million cubic meters. The total catchment area of dam is {{convert|21750|km2|abbr=on}}. There are 27 water gates for the dam. Jayakwadi Dam is also called as Nathsagar Dam.

"Over its lifetime, it has overflowed 19 times. On 10 August 2006, the highest discharge of 250,000 ft³/s was recorded. However, this record was broken on 28 September 2025, when the Jayakwadi Dam released its highest-ever water discharge of 3,08,824 cusecs into the Godavari River — an amount of water never released from the dam since its construction."

==Nath Sagar Jalashay==
Nath Sagar Jalashay is the name of the reservoir formed by Jayakwadi Dam. Fed by the Godavari and Pravara rivers the reservoir is about 55 km long and 27 km wide and spans over {{convert|350|km2|abbr=on}}. Total submergence area due to the reservoir is about {{convert|36000|ha}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-04/aurangabad/38277571_1_jaisingh-hire-dead-storage-jayakwadi-dam| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130708161729/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-04/aurangabad/38277571_1_jaisingh-hire-dead-storage-jayakwadi-dam| archive-date=8 July 2013|title=Evaporation rate up in Jayakwadi dam |access-date=8 July 2013 |date=4 April 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]]|location=India}}</ref>

[[Siltation]] has taken a heavy toll on the project. It is estimated that approximately 30% of the dam is filled with silt, reducing its life as well as storage capacity. Survey findings show that from 2003 to 2012, there was a loss of 31% (that is 8.08 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet) in dead storage and 14% (that is 10.73 TMC) in live storage capacity of the dam due to silt.<ref name=":0" />

== Purpose ==
Jayakwadi project is a multipurpose project. The main purpose was to irrigate land for agriculture in the drought prone Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. Other important purpose was to provide water for drinking and industrial usage to nearby towns and villages and to the municipalities and industrial areas of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna. 80% of water of dam is allocated for irrigation, 5-7% for drinking water and the rest for industrial purposes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Near-their-largest-dam-lie-the-driest-villages/Article1-916811.aspx |title=Near their largest dam lie the driest villages |access-date=22 September 2012 |date=21 August 2012 |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824043616/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Near-their-largest-dam-lie-the-driest-villages/Article1-916811.aspx |archive-date=24 August 2012 }}</ref> The average daily discharge of the dam is around 1.36 MCM, of which 0.05 MCM of water is supplied to the MIDC area, 0.15 MCM is distributed to fulfill the needs of Sambhajinagar, while the remaining amount is lost in evaporation.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-27/aurangabad/40232152_1_jayakwadi-jaisingh-hire-catchment-areas| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130708154931/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-27/aurangabad/40232152_1_jayakwadi-jaisingh-hire-catchment-areas| archive-date=8 July 2013|title=More rains lead to rise in Jayakwadi water levels |access-date=8 July 2013 |date=27 June 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]]|location=India}}</ref>

===Irrigation===
The Jayakwadi project is one of the largest irrigation projects in Maharashtra of India . Through its canal system, the dam irrigates cultivable area of 237,452 hectares in the districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Ahmednagar and Parbhani. The length of left bank canal is 208 km, the length of right bank canal is 132 km, commanding a total area is 183,858 hectares. The gross irrigated area by 96,000 hectares under right bank canal was further enlarged by constructing [[Majalgaon Dam]] which acts as a balancing reservoir in addition to harness the Sindphana tributary of the Godavari river.

===Electricity generation===
A hydroelectric power plant of 12 MW capacity is installed on the right bank of the river. The water used for power generation is pumped back to the main reservoir from the tail pond using [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity|reversible hydro turbine]].

During the drought year 2015, the inflows into the reservoir were very meagre due to failure of rains in the catchment area. However nearly 18 [[tmcft]] dead storage water available in the reservoir could not be used for the dire needs. With minor external modifications to the exiting reversible hydro turbine unit, most of the dead storage water can be put to use during the drought years by using the hydro power plant for pumping water into the nearby right canal. Water would be released downstream into the tail pond over the spillway (if needed by [[siphon]] pipes). Nearly five km long contour canal at MDDL of the right canal in the reservoir area is constructed to connect the power house area with the right canal intake point. The pen stock of the hydro power unit is extended (less than 100 m long) to connect to the contour canal. The hydro power unit is operated in pumping mode to pump water from the tail pond to the right canal when the reservoir level is below the canal's minimum draw down level (MDDL). The pen stock extension piping is detached when water pumping to the canal is not required to restore its normal power generation when the reservoir level is above the right canal's MDDL<ref name= MDDL/> When the reservoir level is above the right canal MDDL level, the contour canal located in the reservoir area gets submerged without suffering any damage as it is not obstructing the flood flow to the dam spillway.

===Industrial use===
Around 0.05 MCM water is supplied daily from dam to various industries located in Chhatrpati Sambhajinagar and Jalna [[MIDC]] areas. The dam is also a primary source of water to the [[Parli Thermal Power Station]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/power-generation-drops-by-1000-mw/1072903/0 | title=Power generation drops by 1,000 MW | newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] | location=Mumbai | date=12 February 2013 | access-date=1 March 2013 | author=Khapre, Shubhangi}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
Aquatic vegetation has species of ''[[Chara (alga)|Chara]]'', ''[[Spirogyra]]'', ''[[Hydrilla]]'', ''[[Potamogeton]]'' and ''[[Vallisneria]]''. Surrounding areas grow ''[[Argemone mexicana]]'' and ''[[Ipomoea carnea]]''. Around 37 species of flora have been reported in the vicinity of reservoir. Seasonal farming (gal pera) is carried out on the exposed land when the waterline recedes.<ref name = "JDR"/>

==Dnyaneshwar Udyan==
Dnyaneshwar Udyan is one of the largest gardens in Maharashtra resembling the [[Brindavan Gardens]] of [[Mysore]]. It is spread over 125 hectares and is situated on the banks of Nathsagar Lake formed due to Jayakwadi Dam. It is located near the town of [[Paithan]] which is 50 km south of [[Aurangabad]].

==Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary==
[[Image:Birds at Jayakwadi.jpg|thumb|Migratory birds at Jayakwadi]]
The Nath Sagar reservoir creates 30 island of various sizes in the shallow waters, with trees for roosting, this provides an ideal shelter for migratory birds. Close to the dam a bird sanctuary has been created which is home for many species of resident and migrant birds. Almost 200 species of birds can be found in this region, which includes more than 70 species of migratory birds. Out of these, 45 chief species are of international migration. Notable amongst migratory birds are cranes, [[lesser flamingo|flamingos]], pintails, wigeons, shovellers, brahminy ducks, pochards, teals, godwits, and glossy ibises.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hoparoundindia.com/maharashtra/paithan-attractions/jayakwadi-dam-and-bird-sanctuary.aspx |title= Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary | publisher= Hoparoundindia.com | access-date=8 May 2013 }}</ref>

Many species are reported in numbers larger than 1% of their bio-geographic population thresholds in Jayakwadi bird sanctuary (Wetlands International Norms – 2002). The Jayakwadi bird sanctuary qualifies for the congregatory criteria A4-i, A4-iii and A4-iv. [ A4i (≥1% biogeographic population), A4iii (≥20,000 water birds), A4iv (known to exceed thresholds set for migratory species) ].<ref name = "JDR"/>

However, the dam's high water levels have resulted in a loss of habitats for the birds, with an environmentalist noting in 2019 that "it could happen that migratory birds from our country and abroad may prefer other water bodies than the bird sanctuary".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Joshi|first=Prasad|date=6 November 2019|title=Migratory birds may bypass Jayakwadi this year as overflowing dam submerges habitat|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/migratory-birds-may-bypass-jayakwadi-this-year-as-overflowing-dam-submerges-habitat/articleshow/71928993.cms}}</ref>

== Renewable energy project and community opposition ==
In 2021, [[NTPC Limited]] announced a proposal for a 1,200 MW floating solar power project at the Jayakwadi Dam, backed by [[Bhagwat Karad]] (former Union Minister of State for Finance).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joshi |first=Mahesh Digamber |date=31 January 2025 |title=1200 MW Floating Solar Power Project at Jayakwadi Dam Sparks Controversy |url=https://earthjournalism.net/stories/1200-mw-floating-solar-power-project-at-jayakwadi-dam-sparks-controversy |work=Earth Journalism Network}}</ref> The project was introduced as part of the country's plan to expand renewable energy generation, with solar panels to be installed across sections of the Nathsagar Reservoir.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shrivastava |first=Yash Sadhak |date=5 December 2024 |title=Fishing community opposes floating solar project on Maharashtra dam |url=https://scroll.in/article/1076369/fishing-community-opposes-floating-solar-project-on-maharashtra-dam? |work=Thomson Reuters Foundation}}</ref> Following the announcement, local fishing communities expressed concern that large-scale solar installations would destroy livelihoods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shrivastava |first=Yash Sadhak |date=27 November 2024 |title=India's floating solar plans run into opposition from fishers |url=https://www.context.news/just-transition/indias-floating-solar-plans-run-into-opposition-from-fishers |website=Context (Journalism from the Thomas Reuters Foundation)}}</ref> Floating [[Photovoltaics|photovoltaic]] installations reduce sunlight and oxygen levels in water, alter temperature and nutrient balance, and can disrupt aquatic food webs and breeding cycles.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Liu |first1=Zhao |last2=Ma |first2=Chao |last3=Li |first3=Xinyang |last4=Deng |first4=Zexing |last5=Tian |first5=Zhuojun |date=2023-11-15 |title=Aquatic environment impacts of floating photovoltaic and implications for climate change challenges |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479723016390 |journal=Journal of Environmental Management |volume=346 |article-number=118851 |doi=10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118851 |pmid=37708682 |issn=0301-4797|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] has also petitioned to remove the [[bird sanctuary]] and [[Eco-Sensitive Zone]] status of the dam to accommodate the floating solar power project,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Mahesh Digamber |date=31 January 2025 |title=Former Union Minister Bhagwat Karad Seeks Removal of Bird Sanctuary Status for Floating Solar Project at Jayakwadi Dam |url=https://earthjournalism.net/stories/former-union-minister-bhagwat-karad-seeks-removal-of-bird-sanctuary-status-for-floating |website=Earth Journalism Network}}</ref> drawing concerns from conservationists.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naik |first=Yogesh |date=2 October 2025 |title=Greens oppose Jayakwadi solar park to protect 269 bird species |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/greens-oppose-jayakwadi-solar-park-to-protect-269-bird-species-101759432808207.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

In early 2024, several fishing associations began organizing rallies, petitions, and meetings with local officials to oppose the project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joshi |first=Prasad |date=3 January 2024 |title=Fresh protest by fishermen against solar power project at Jayakwadi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/fresh-protest-by-fishermen-against-solar-power-project-at-jayakwadi-chhatrapati-sambhajinagar/articleshow/106500453.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref> After officials withdrew written assurances regarding the cancellation of the project,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Divya |first=Marathi |date=31 January 2025 |title=Backtracking by Officials Compels Protesters to Turn Up the Heat During Jayakwadi Protest |url=https://earthjournalism.net/stories/backtracking-by-officials-compels-protesters-to-turn-up-the-heat-during-jayakwadi-protest |work=Earth Journalism Network}}</ref> fisherfolk intensified their protest through a "[[Jal-samadhi|Jal-Samadhi]]" (water-submerged hunger strike), in which thousands of fisherfolk entered the reservoir to demonstrate against the construction.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gabjbhiye |first=Manish |date=8 February 2024 |title=Fisherfolk Stage 'Jalsamadhi' Protest Against Solar Power Project At Jayakwadi Dam, Seek Cancellation |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/fisherfolk-stage-jalsamadhi-protest-against-solar-power-project-at-jayakwadi-dam-seek-cancellation |work=The Free Press Journal}}</ref> Media outlets reported that at least ten protesters fainted due to exhaustion during the event, with protestors also warning mass suicides could take place if the project proceeded.<ref name=":1" />

On December 11 2024, [[Supreme Court of India|the Supreme Court of India]] dismissed an appeal by the [[Kahar Samaj Panch Committee]] challenging the [[National Green Tribunal]]'s approval of the Jayakwadi floating solar power project,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joshi |first=Prasad |date=26 June 2025 |title=Environmentalists seek stay on Jayakwadi solar project pending SC decision on wetland rules |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/environmentalists-seek-stay-on-jayakwadi-solar-project-pending-sc-decision-on-wetland-rules/articleshow/122077062.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Neelam |first=Karale |date=31 July 2024 |title=NGT Seeks Clarity on Jayakwadi Dam Floating Solar Project's Legality |url=https://www.thebridgechronicle.com/news/ngt-seeks-clarity-on-jayakwadi-dam-floating-solar-projects-legality#goog_rewarded |website=The Bridge Chronicle}}</ref> thereby allowing the project to proceed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lokmat English Desk |date=2 April 2025 |title=Supreme court rejects appeal against Jayakwadi floating solar project |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-against-jayakwadi-floating-solar-project/ |work=Lokmat Times}}</ref>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|India|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
*[[Yeldari Dam]]
*[[Godavari River Basin Irrigation Projects]]
*[[Marathwada]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Jayakwadi Dam}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050406062502/http://www.godavarimahamandal.com/ Godavari Mahamandal]

{{Aurangabad district, Maharashtra topics}}
{{Hydrography of Maharashtra}}
{{Godavari basin}}
{{Godavari River dams}}

[[Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Dams in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Dams on the Godavari River]]
[[Category:Pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations in India]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1976]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Maharashtra]]

Jayakwadi Dam - Revision history

imported>Harshdaank at 18:06, 13 March 2026