The Castlereigh Dam (also spelled Castlereagh) is a gravity dam built across the Kehelgamu Oya, a major tributary to the Kelani River, approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) south-west of Hatton, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.[1] The dam is a popular location for both locals and tourists.[2]

Castlereigh Dam
Castlereigh Dam is located in Sri Lanka
Castlereigh Dam
Location of Castlereigh Dam in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
LocationHatton, Central Province
Coordinates06°52′24″N 80°33′59″E / 6.87333°N 80.56639°E / 6.87333; 80.56639
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening dateJanuary 1965
Owner(s)CEB
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsKehelgamu Oya
Wimalasurendra Power Station
Coordinates06°54′31″N 80°31′30″E / 6.90861°N 80.52500°E / 6.90861; 80.52500
Turbines2 × 25 MW
Installed capacity50 MW

Reservoir and power station

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The dam creates the iconic Castlereigh Reservoir, which is almost entirely maintained by the inflow of water from the Kehalgamu Oya. Water from the reservoir is diverted to the Wimalasurendra Power Station, located approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) downstream at 06°54′31″N 80°31′30″E / 6.90861°N 80.52500°E / 6.90861; 80.52500 (Wimalasurendra Hydroelectric Power Station), near Norton Bridge. The power station discharges the water into the Norton Reservoir, created by the Norton Dam, located at the same site.[1]

The power station consists of two 25-megawatt units, totalling the plant capacity to 50 MW. Both units were commissioned in January 1965.[3]

Water airport

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The Castlereigh Reservoir is also home to the Castlereigh Water Airport, registered under the IATA code NUF.[4]

 
Castlereigh Reservoir in March 2018.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "CEB Hydropower Generation". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Sri Lanka Castleragh Reservoir Surroundings". steemit.
  3. ^ "CEB Generation Details: Laxapana Complex". Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  4. ^ "NUF - Castlereigh Reservoir". PilotNav.com. Retrieved 19 January 2014.